A prospective critical evaluation of in vitro thyroid function tests

A number of 2 325 serum samples from a population of in- and outpatients were collected during a six-month period in order to evaluate the usefulness of various thyroid function tests in the clinical laboratory routine. The samples were analysed with the following thyroid function tests: total triiodothyronine (T3) (TT3), total thyroxine (T4) (TT4), free T3 index (FT3I), free T4 index (FT4I) and thyrotropin (TSH). One to two years after the primary evaluation, a follow-up was performed and the final diagnoses were checked in the patients' records. The values of these parameters in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism were: FT3I greater than FT4I greater than TT3 greater than TT4. The corresponding results in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism were: TSH greater than FT4I greater than FT3I = TT3. No single test could detect both hyper- and hypothyroidism effectively. The only one-step strategy for thyroid evaluation in patients without apparent clinical signs of hyper- or hypothyroidism would therefore be the combined determination of T3 and TSH. The study also showed distinct differences between the reference values of the healthy population and patients without thyroid disorders.     

Autoantibodies against complement C1q correlate with the thyroid function in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease

Autoantibodies against complement C1q (anti-C1q) have been well described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, where they correlate with the occurrence of severe lupus nephritis. However, data on anti-C1q in organ-specific autoimmune diseases are scarce. In order to determine the prevalence of anti-C1q in patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITD) and a possible association with thyroid function, we measured prospectively anti-C1q in 23 patients with Graves' disease (GD) and 52 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Anti-C1q levels were correlated with parameters of thyroid function and autoantibodies against thyroperoxidase, thyroglobulin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor. Twenty-one patients with multi-nodular goitre and 72 normal blood donors served as controls. We found elevated concentrations of anti-C1q more frequently in patients with AITD than in controls: seven of 23 (30%) patients with GD and 11 of 52 (21%) patients with HT, compared with one of 21 (5%) patients with multi-nodular goitre and six of 72 (8%) normal controls. Anti-C1q levels did not correlate with thyroid autoantibodies. However, in GD absolute levels of anti-C1q correlated negatively with TSH and positively with free thyroxine (FT4) and triiodothyronine (FT3). In contrast, in HT, anti-C1q correlated positively with TSH levels. No correlation between TSH and thyroid autoantibodies was found. In conclusion, we found an increased prevalence of anti-C1q in patients with AITD and their levels correlated with the thyroid function in both GD and HT. This correlation seems to be independent of thyroid autoantibodies. Therefore, anti-C1q might point to a pathogenic mechanism involved in the development of AITD that is independent of classical thyroid autoantibodies.     

Measurement of free triiodothyronine (FT3) using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay in patients with autoantibodies to triiodothyronine

Thyroid hormone autoantibodies may lead to abnormal values of free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) by interference with the radio immunoassay (RIA). We examined thyroid function in six patients with known triiodothyronine-binding autoantibodies using a RIA and an electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). FT3 values measured by RIA were spuriously high, ECLIA measurement of FT3 led to correct values according to the patients' thyroid status. We conclude from these results that in patients with triiodothyronine-binding autoantibodies FT3 measurement by ECLIA is more useful than measurement by RIA.     

Total and free thyroid hormone levels in chronic renal failure.

The levels of serum total thyroxine (TT4), triiodothyronine (TT3), free T3, (FT3) free T4 (FT4) and thyrotropin (TSH) were measured in 127 clinically euthyroid patients with varying grades of chronic renal failure (CRF); and 97 healthy individuals. They were grouped as: Group I containing 93 patients on conservative management; Group II containing 34 patients on regular dialysis therapy; and Group III (normals). Group I patients showed significant decrease in TT3, TT4 and FT3 levels (p less than 0.001) as compared to Group III, whereas FT4 and TSH values in group I were not significantly altered. TT3, TT4 and FT3 levels reduced as the severity of renal damage increased. Variations in TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4 and TSH levels in Group II patients were similar to those in Group I, except for a decrease in TSH levels (p less than 0.05) as compared to normals. Several thyroid function tests are abnormal in CRF patients, however, finding of normal FT4 and TSH levels would indicate functional euthyroid status.     

Anti-thyroid antibodies and thyroid dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis: Prevalence and clinical value

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess thyroid function as well as the prevalence and clinical value of anti-thyroid antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Seventy patients with active RA (ACR criteria), 9 males and 61 females, mean age 47 years (range 15–77) were analyzed. Anti-thyroperoxidase (TPOAb) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) were tested using radioimmunoassay. Free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) serum levels were measured using electro-immunochemiluminescence (ECLIA, Elecsys Roche). Clinical variables, including tender and swollen joint count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were also evaluated. Statistics were performed by the SPSS statistical software for Windows.

Results: Twenty-six patients (37%) with RA were positive for TPOAb and 16 (23%) for TgAb. In 5 (7.1%) patients TSH level was slightly elevated, ranging between 4.52 and 15.65 UI/ml. The increase of TSH levels was associated with normal FT4 in 3 cases (4.2%) and with reduced FT4 in 2 cases (2.8%). One patient (1.5%) had low TSH serum value along with normal FT4. No differences in clinical and serological data between anti-thyroid positive and negative patients were observed.

Conclusion: Our study shows an increased prevalence of anti-thyroid antibodies in RA patients with a low prevalence of hormonal alterations. However, anti-thyroid antibodies do not seem to identify any peculiar RA phenotype.     

COPD患者肺功能与甲状腺激素水平的相关性分析

目的 评估COPD患者甲状腺功能,并分析肺功能、动脉血气及甲状腺激素之间的关系.方法 70例COPD患者(分4级)及50例健康志愿者(对照组),分别测定其有关通气功能指标(FEV1、FVC、FEV1/FVC)和血气分析参数(PaCO2、PaO2、SO2)以及血清中甲状腺素总三碘甲状腺原氨酸(TT3) 、总甲状腺素(TT4) 、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸 (FT3) 、游离甲状腺素(FT4) 和促甲状腺生成素(TSH),并对数据进行研究.结果 COPD组TT3、FT3的平均值低于对照组,并且与病情严重程度正相关,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);TT4、FT4和TSH平均值降低无统计学差异.随着COPD严重程度的增加,TT3、FT3平均值显著降低;COPD患者组中,TT3、FT3与肺功能指标、PaO2及SO2呈显著正相关,与PaCO2呈显著负相关.结论 COPD患者甲状腺激素水平与 COPD的严重性、进展和预后有一定关系.     

难治性抑郁症与非难治性抑郁症患者甲状腺激素水平的比较

目的 通过难治性抑郁症与非难治性抑郁症患者甲状腺激素水平的检测与比较,探讨甲状腺激素治疗难治性抑郁症的依据.方法 选取难治性抑郁症患者和非难治性抑郁症患者各32例,采用放射免疫法测定两组血清TSH,T3,FT3,T4,FT4水平.结果 难治性抑郁症组异常者18例,占56.25％,非难治性抑郁症组异常者5例,占15.63...     

脑血管疾病患者血清甲状腺激素水平检测的临床意义

目的 通过大样本研究了解不同类型脑血管疾病患者甲状腺激素水平的变化.方法 选取4496例脑血管疾病患者,包括脑出血患者1060例、脑梗死患者3145例、头颈部动脉狭窄患者25例、短暂性脑缺血发作(transient ischemicattack,TIA)患者266例,另外选取2516名健康体检者为对照组,采用化学发光免疫分析方法,检测血清中FT3、FT4、T3、T4、TSH水平.结果 脑血管疾病患者与对照组相比,FT3、FT4、T3、T4、TSH在两组之间的差异均有统计学意义.脑血管疾病患者血清FT3、T3、T4、TSH水平低于对照组,FT4高于对照组.将脑血管疾病患者进一步分为脑出血组、脑梗死组、头颈部动脉狭窄组及TIA组等4组,与对照组一起比较,FT3、FT4、T3、T4、TSH在5组之间的差异均有统计学意义.FT3、T3、TSH在各组中位数均为脑出血组＜脑梗死组＜头颈部动脉狭窄组＜TIA组,FT4在各组中位数为脑出血组＞脑梗死组＞TIA组＞头颈部动脉狭窄组,T4在各组中位数为脑出血组＞脑梗死组＞头颈部动脉狭窄组＞TIA组.结论 甲状腺激素水平变化可反映不同类型脑血管患者病情严重程度,是辅助诊断的重要指标.     

Evaluation du bilan hormonal thyroïdien sur ADVIA:Centaur

ADVIA:Centaur, clinical assessment of thyroid function tests. This study aimed at evaluating thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) assays performed on the ADVIA:Centaur system. We paid special attention to age-related reference values and to clinical performances. Samples were assayed from euthyroid control subjects aged between 1 and 92 years old, euthyroid women in the last 3 months of pregnancy, thyroid ill patients, severe non thyroid ill patients and drug treated patients (amiodarone, heparin). TSH behaved like a third generation assay. FT4 performances were satisfactory. FT3 precise age-related reference ranges should be determined for old peoples and children.     

早发性精神分裂症临床症状与甲状腺激素水平的相关分析

目的:探讨早发性精神分裂症患儿的甲状腺激素水平及与临床症状的相关影响因素。方法:采用电化学发光法在治疗前测定住院早发性精神分裂症患儿59例和50例正常对照组的血清三碘甲状腺原氨酸Ttriiodothyronine,T3)、甲状腺素(Thyroxine,T4)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(Free triiodothyronine,FT3)、游离甲状腺素(Free thyroxine,FT4)和促甲状腺激素(Thyroid-stimulating hormone,TSH)水平,同时对研究组患儿进行阳性和阴性症状量表(Positive and negative symptoms scale,PANSS)的评定。结果:研究组与对照组比较,研究组T3(t=-9.025,P0.001)、T4(t=-6.524,P0.001)值比对照组更低,研究组TSH(t=2.431,P0.05)值比对照组更高,其差异均有统计学意义。研究组不同性别、族别间甲状腺激素水平的差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。多元线性回归分析结果显示,阴性症状与反应缺乏对T3值的影响有统计学意义(P0.05),决定系数R~2=0.283。结论:早发性精神分裂症患儿的T3、T4值偏低,TSH值偏高,阴性症状与反应缺乏是影响T3值的因素之一。     

A study of thyroid function in the pre- and post-menopause

Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free triidotthyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) were measured in 382 healthy women who were attending a menopause clinic. Of these women, 140 were in the pre-menopausal phase, 162 had been post-menopausal for < 3 yr and 60 had been post-menopausal for > 3 yr.Analysis of the results as a function of climacteric situation, revealed that the only significant difference was a lower serum concentration of FT3 in the women who had been post-menopausal for over 3 yr than in the women who were in the pre-menopausal phase.Statistical analysis of the results as a function of both climacteric situation and age showed that the serum level of TBG increases with age, while serum levels of circulating thyroid hormones decrease, and that although the menopause does not bring about marked changes in thyroid function, it nevertheless tends to reduce that function, especially when menopause occurs at the expected time.Finally, by correlating values with T4 values on an individal basis, it was possible to ascertain that when physiological changes in thyroid function do occur in the climacteric, they are not caused by primary changes in TSH secretion.     

青少年双相障碍不同亚型首发患者治疗前后甲状腺功能水平的差异

目的:了解青少年双相障碍不同亚型患者的临床特征及治疗前后甲状腺功能水平的差异。方法:采用电化学发光法分别在治疗前、治疗1月后测定住院双相障碍患儿149例和50例正常青少年对照组的血清三碘甲状腺原氨酸Ttriiodothyronine,T3)、甲状腺素(Thyroxine,T4)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(Free triiodothyronine,FT3)、游离甲状腺素(Free thyroxine,FT4)和促甲状腺激素(Thyroid-stimulating hormone,TSH)水平,按照目前发作形式分为躁狂组49例、抑郁组80例和混合组20例,比较3组间临床特征及治疗前后甲状腺功能水平。结果:躁狂组在总病程(F=8.237,P0.001)和本次病程(F=5.228,P0.05)的时间上低于抑郁组和混合组,躁狂组非核心家庭(离异、丧偶)的比例高于抑郁组和混合组(χ~2=6.200,P0.05);混合组伴有精神病性症状的比例高于躁狂组和抑郁组(χ~2=7.449,P0.05)。躁狂组、抑郁组和混合组治疗前后的T3、T4值及治疗后的FT4值低于对照组(F=49.214,27.303,12.882,P0.001);躁狂组在治疗前的FT3值高于其他3组(F=5.512,P0.001);躁狂组治疗后的TSH值高于抑郁组和对照组,并且混合组治疗后的TSH值高于对照组(F=8.752,P0.001),差异有统计学意义。结论:青少年双相障碍不同亚型存在不同的临床特征,在治疗前后与正常青少年的比较中具有不同的甲状腺素水平。     

Suppressive effects of dexamethasone on hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis function in depressed patients

This study investigated the effects of dexamethasone (1 mg orally) on the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. We determined pre- and post-dexamethasone thyroid-secreting hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), reverse T3 and cortisol levels in 61 depressed inpatients. Dexamethasone had a pronounced suppressive effect on basal TSH and FT3 levels. It had a significant stimulating effect on rT3 levels. No differences were found between melancholic and minor depressives in the effects of dexamethasone on basal TSH, FT3 and rT3. Cortisol non-suppressors were characterized by less suppression of basal TSH values.     

Correlation of circulating interleukin-10 with thyroid hormone in acute myocardial infarction

In patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) has been reported to be linked to increase in interleukin (IL)-6 and activation of its receptors. Recent reports have shown that IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, also plays a key role in the pathogenesis of AMI. Therefore we investigated the relationship between thyroid state and IL-10 in patients with AMI. We measured thyrotropin (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), IL-10, and IL-6 in plasma from 20 patients with AMI and 20 healthy controls. All 20 AMI patients showed significantly lower concentrations of FT3 than in controls accompanied by normal or subnormal levels of TSH, characterized ESS. Concentrations of IL- 10 and IL-6 were higher in patients than in controls. Both IL-10 and IL-6 significantly (p<0.05, respectively) correlated with thyroid hormone in patients with AMI. Time course of IL-10, IL-6, and FT3 seemed to be tightly linking. In conclusion, IL-10 and IL-6 appears to affect thyroid hormone homeostasis in patients with AMI.     

The Relationships between Thyroid Hormones and Thyroid-stimulating Hormone with Lipid Profile in Euthyroid Men

Background and Aim: Alteration in lipid profile is a common observation in patients with thyroid dysfunction, but the current knowledge on the relationship between lipids and thyroid hormone levels in euthyroid state is insufficient. The current study aimed to determine the association between thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with lipid profile in a euthyroid male population.Methods: A total of 708 Chinese and Malay men aged 20 years and above were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Their blood was collected for the determination of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and TSH levels. The association was analyzed using multiple regression and logistic regression models with adjustment for age, ethnicity, body mass index and FT4/FT3/TSH levels.Results: In multiple regression models, TSH was positively and significantly associated with TG (p<0.05). Free T4 was positively and significantly associated with TC, LDL-C and HDL-C (p<0.05). Free T3 was negatively and significantly associated with HDL-C (p<0.05). In binary logistic models, an increase in TSH was significantly associated with higher prevalence of elevated TG in the subjects (p<0.05), while an increase in FT4 was significantly associated with higher prevalence of elevated TC but a lower prevalence of subnormal HDL in the subjects (p<0.05). Free T3 was not associated with any lipid variables in the logistic regression (p>0.05).Conclusions: In euthyroid Malaysian men, there are positive and significant relationships between TSH level and TG level, and between FT4 level and cholesterol levels.     

一个家族性异常白蛋白高甲状腺素血症的表型和基因型分析

目的报告一个家族性异常白蛋白高甲状腺素血症(familial dysalbuminaemic hyperthyroxinaemia，FDH)家系。方法测定家系4个成员(先证者、母亲、女儿和弟弟)血清甲状腺激素和促甲状腺激素，荧光标记甲状腺素(thyroxine，T4)和血清温育后进行蛋白电泳，白蛋白基因点突变检测。结果先证者、母亲和女儿的血清总甲状腺素升高，游离甲状腺素、总三碘甲腺原氨酸、游离三碘甲腺原氨酸和促甲状腺激素正常，蛋白电泳显示T4-白蛋白峰明显升高增宽，白蛋白基因DNA编码区653G→A。弟弟的甲状腺激素正常，T4结合蛋白电泳未见异常，白蛋白基因未见突变。结论首次报道国内一个FDH家系，白蛋白基因DNA编码区653G→A引起白蛋白和T4亲和性增加，导致血清T4测定假性升高。     

曲安西龙可促进桥本氏病伴甲减的甲状腺功能恢复

目的:研究曲安西龙对桥本氏病伴甲减的疗效。方法:桥本氏病伴甲减患者共60例,随机分为曲安西龙组和对照组。两组于治疗前及治疗后4个月时分别测定血清游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸、游离甲状腺素、促甲状腺素(TSH)、甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TgAb)、甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)、血浆皮质醇、促肾上腺皮质激素及血浆葡萄糖水平。结果:治疗后曲安西龙组TSH较对照组显著改善(P均<0.05),TgAb和TPOAb也明显下降(P均<0.05),且治疗所需左旋甲状腺素的平均剂量为39±20μg/d,明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:曲安西龙能明显降低血清TgAb和TPOAb水平,增强左旋甲状腺素对桥本氏病伴甲减的疗效,更快恢复甲状腺功能。     

Bromine and thyroid hormone activity.

AIMS--To examine the possible consequences of high plasma concentrations of bromine on thyroid hormone. METHODS--Bromine was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the plasma of 799 patients consulting for thyroid disorders. Because the mean (SD) bromine concentration in the plasma of healthy subjects is 4 (1) mg/l, concentrations above 6 mg/l were regarded as outside the normal range. Bromine, free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) values were compared. RESULTS--The percentage of patients with normal, low, and high FT4 and TSH plasma activities, measured separately, did not differ between patients with low and high bromine concentrations. The percentage of patients with high TSH but normal FT4 values was significantly higher in the group with bromine values of more than 6 mg/l than in the group with bromine concentrations below this (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION--An increase in plasma bromine could potentiate an increase in plasma TSH concentration, probably as a consequence of a minor inhibitory effect on thyroid activity.     

血清TSH和Hcy测定在甲状腺功能减退诊断中的价值

目的 分析血清甲状腺激素（TH）和同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）水平测定在甲状腺功能减退诊断中的价值。方法 选取2018年2月~2019年2月在我院诊治的50例甲状腺功能减退患者设为观察组A,40例亚临床甲状腺功能减退患者设为观察组B,另选同期体检正常者40例设为对照组。分别检测三组TH[三碘甲状腺原氨酸（T3）、甲状腺素（T4）、促甲状腺素（TSH）]、Hcy水平并进行比较。结果 观察组B血清FT3、FT4水平与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,血清TSH、Hcy水平高于对照组（P＜0.05）;观察组A血清FT3、FT4水平低于对照组,血清TSH、Hcy水平高于对照组（P＜0.05）;观察组A血清FT3、FT4水平低于观察组B,血清TSH、Hcy水平高于观察组B（P＜0.05）;血清TSH、Hcy变化与临床甲状腺功能减退呈正相关（P＜0.05）;血清TSH、Hcy诊断甲状腺功能减退敏感度和特异度均高于FT3、FT4诊断（P＜0.05）。结论 动态监测血清TSH、Hcy 水平,对亚临床甲状腺功能减退向临床甲状腺功能减退转化具有一定的诊断价值。     

Suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone secretion in patients treated with interleukin-2 and interferon-α2b for metastatic melanoma

Recent reports suggest that combined therapy with recombinant interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN) alb may result in autoimmune-induced thyroid dysfunction. We prospectively analyzed thyroid function for 6 weeks in two groups of patients with progressive metastatic melanoma treated according to two different protocols. In group I (n =17) three treatment cycles were given, each with three weeks of subcutanous administration of rIL-2 and INF-_2b at different doses. In group 11 (n=13) the chemotherapeutic agent dacarbazine was given in addition. In group 1 three patients developed frank hyperthyroidism, which required antithyroid drug therapy in one case. Autoantibodies against thyroid microsomal antigen, thyroglobulin, and the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor were not significantly elevated in any of these patients. However, the remaining 14 patients showed a significant decrease in TSH after 6 weeks of treatment, from 1.8 ± 0.9 to 0.7 ± 0.7 U/ml (P < 0.02). Thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine, thyroxine, free thyroxine) also increased during the observation time, but this did not parallel the drop in TSH levels. Only thyroxine increased above the upper limit of normal, while triiodothyronine and free thyroxine stayed within the normal range. In group 11, 6 of 13 patients (46%) had a decreased TSH after 6 weeks of treatment. Mean TSH was 1.5±1.4 before and 0.8 ± 0.6 U/ml after 6 weeks and was totally suppressed in three cases. None of these patients showed ouvert hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism was not observed in either group. We conclude that treatment with rIL-2 and INF-_2b may not only be associated with autoimmune thyroiditis and hyperthyroidism but also results in suppression of TSH levels while the patients remain euthyroid.Abbreviations IL interleukin - INF interferon - TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone - T3 triiodothyronine - T₄ thyroxine - fro free thyroxine Correspondence to: H. Mönig