open access

Vol 58, No 5 (2007)
Review paper
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2007-10-16
Get Citation

Thyrotropin reference range - should it be changed?

Małgorzata Gietka-Czernel, Helena Jastrzębska
Endokrynol Pol 2007;58(5):454-467.

open access

Vol 58, No 5 (2007)
Reviews — Postgraduate Education
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2007-10-16

Abstract

Current thyrotropin (TSH) reference range established by sensitive assays is from 0.2-0.4 mj.m./l to 4.0-4.5 mj.m./l. Serum TSH reference range was performed using specimens from healthy volunteers without history of thyroid disease but the values distribution is not concordant with Gaussian curve and is skewed toward upper values. It is claimed that upper reference limit for TSH should be declained because of possible incorporation of individuals with unrecognized chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis into initial study. American National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry recommends to examine only euthyroid healthy volunteers without personal or family history of thyroid dysfunction, visible or palpable goiter, with no detectable thyroid antibodies measured by sensitive immunoassays and without any medication except estrogen. Many authors observed that even in such rigorously selected population the upper limit of TSH does not decrease significantly. The other possible factors which may influence TSH values are ethnic features, age, iodine intake, time of phlebotomy or assay sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore there are no epidemiological data showing adverse consequences of serum TSH between 3.0 mj.m./l and 5.0 mj.m./l. And because of it current upper limit for TSH should remain unchanged. However one must realize that many people with TSH values between 3.0 mj.m./l and 5.0 mj.m./l have unrecognized chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and should be followed because of possible future hypothyroidism. The special care is needed for pregnant women or those planning to be pregnant.
(Pol J Endocrinol 2007; 58 (5): 454-460)

Abstract

Current thyrotropin (TSH) reference range established by sensitive assays is from 0.2-0.4 mj.m./l to 4.0-4.5 mj.m./l. Serum TSH reference range was performed using specimens from healthy volunteers without history of thyroid disease but the values distribution is not concordant with Gaussian curve and is skewed toward upper values. It is claimed that upper reference limit for TSH should be declained because of possible incorporation of individuals with unrecognized chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis into initial study. American National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry recommends to examine only euthyroid healthy volunteers without personal or family history of thyroid dysfunction, visible or palpable goiter, with no detectable thyroid antibodies measured by sensitive immunoassays and without any medication except estrogen. Many authors observed that even in such rigorously selected population the upper limit of TSH does not decrease significantly. The other possible factors which may influence TSH values are ethnic features, age, iodine intake, time of phlebotomy or assay sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore there are no epidemiological data showing adverse consequences of serum TSH between 3.0 mj.m./l and 5.0 mj.m./l. And because of it current upper limit for TSH should remain unchanged. However one must realize that many people with TSH values between 3.0 mj.m./l and 5.0 mj.m./l have unrecognized chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and should be followed because of possible future hypothyroidism. The special care is needed for pregnant women or those planning to be pregnant.
(Pol J Endocrinol 2007; 58 (5): 454-460)
Get Citation

Keywords

TSH reference range; lymphocytic thyroiditis; age; iodine intake

About this article
Title

Thyrotropin reference range - should it be changed?

Journal

Endokrynologia Polska

Issue

Vol 58, No 5 (2007)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

454-467

Published online

2007-10-16

Page views

674

Article views/downloads

15496

Bibliographic record

Endokrynol Pol 2007;58(5):454-467.

Keywords

TSH reference range
lymphocytic thyroiditis
age
iodine intake

Authors

Małgorzata Gietka-Czernel
Helena Jastrzębska

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

Via MedicaWydawcą jest  VM Media Group sp. z o.o., Grupa Via Medica, ul. Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk

tel.:+48 58 320 94 94, faks:+48 58 320 94 60, e-mail:  viamedica@viamedica.pl