Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
Non-thyroidal illness (NTI) is frequently characterized by
triiodothyronemia (low T3) and abnormal thyroid function
tests. This could result in an incorrect diagnosis of
hypothyroidism. The purpose of this study was to determine
which thyroid function test or group of tests could
be used to identify those euthyroid patients with NTI. A
total of seventy patients with triiodothyronemia were
clinically evaluated and tested for: total T4 , normalized T4, "free'' T4, total T3, reverse T3 , T3 uptake, free thyroxine index, and TSH. Commercially available radioassay
kits were used in testing. The patients were separated
into four groups: primary hypothyroid, secondary
hypothyroid, hypothyroid with NTI, and euthyroid with NTI.
The results correctly identified the primary and secondary
hypothyroid patients and those hypothyroid patients with
NTI. The normalized T4 test accurately identified those
euthyroid patients with NTI and triiodothyronemia 94 percent
of the time.
triiodothyronemia (low T3) and abnormal thyroid function
tests. This could result in an incorrect diagnosis of
hypothyroidism. The purpose of this study was to determine
which thyroid function test or group of tests could
be used to identify those euthyroid patients with NTI. A
total of seventy patients with triiodothyronemia were
clinically evaluated and tested for: total T4 , normalized T4, "free'' T4, total T3, reverse T3 , T3 uptake, free thyroxine index, and TSH. Commercially available radioassay
kits were used in testing. The patients were separated
into four groups: primary hypothyroid, secondary
hypothyroid, hypothyroid with NTI, and euthyroid with NTI.
The results correctly identified the primary and secondary
hypothyroid patients and those hypothyroid patients with
NTI. The normalized T4 test accurately identified those
euthyroid patients with NTI and triiodothyronemia 94 percent
of the time.
Member of