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Thyroid function tests (TFTs) is a collective term for blood tests used to check the function of the thyroid. [1] TFTs may be requested if a patient is thought to suffer from hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), or to monitor the effectiveness of either thyroid-suppression or hormone replacement therapy.
Hypothyroidism is common in pregnancy with an estimated prevalence of 2-3% and 0.3-0.5% for subclinical and overt hypothyroidism respectively. [8] Endemic iodine deficiency accounts for most hypothyroidism in pregnant women worldwide while chronic autoimmune thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in iodine sufficient parts of the world.
TSH values may also be lower than normal (particularly in the first trimester) and the normal range should be adjusted for the stage of pregnancy. [ 8 ] [ 44 ] In pregnancy, subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as a TSH between 2.5 and 10 mIU/L with a normal thyroxine level, while those with TSH above 10 mIU/L are considered to be overtly ...
These normal hormonal changes often make pregnancy look like a hyperthyroid state but may be within the normal range for pregnancy, so it necessary to use trimester specific ranges for TSH and free T4. [23] [24] True hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is most often caused by an autoimmune mechanism from Graves' Disease. [23]
Subclinical hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, miscarriage and preterm birth. [50] Propylthiouracil is the preferred treatment of hyperthyroidism (both overt and subclinical) in the first trimester of pregnancy as it is associated with less birth defects than methimazole. [50]
The syndrome can present with variable symptoms, even between members of the same family harboring the same mutation. [1] Typically most or all tissues are resistant to thyroid hormone, so despite raised measures of serum thyroid hormone the individual may appear euthyroid (have no symptoms of over- or underactivity of the thyroid gland).
The National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) stated that it expected the reference range for adults to be reduced to 0.4–2.5 μIU/mL, because research had shown that adults with an initially measured TSH level of over 2.0 μIU/mL had "an increased odds ratio of developing hypothyroidism over the [following] 20 years, especially if ...
Normal or increased levels may be observed with TM depending on the severity of TM's progression. Normal levels indicate possible early stages of progression while increased levels may indicate later stages of thyrotoxic myopathy. Muscle biopsies may also be taken and examined to determine TM's progression with respect to physical degradation.