Central hypothyroidism - a neglected thyroid disorder

[helvella]

Good to see recognition of the impossibility of diagnosing central hypothyroidism using TSH-only - something many here have long appreciated. Bad that we all know there really won't be any changes because of this paper.

Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2017 May 26. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2017.47. [Epub ahead of print]

Central hypothyroidism - a neglected thyroid disorder.

Beck-Peccoz P1, Rodari G2, Giavoli C2, Lania A3

Author information

1 University of Milan, Via Petro Custodi 16, Milan 20136, Italy.

2 Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Unit, Via Francesco Sforza 35, Milan 20122, Italy.

3 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University and Endocrinology Unit, Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano 20086, Italy.

Abstract

Central hypothyroidism is a rare and heterogeneous disorder that is characterized by a defect in thyroid hormone secretion in an otherwise normal thyroid gland due to insufficient stimulation by TSH. The disease results from the abnormal function of the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, or both. Moreover, central hypothyroidism can be isolated or combined with other pituitary hormone deficiencies, which are mostly acquired and are rarely congenital. The clinical manifestations of central hypothyroidism are usually milder than those observed in primary hypothyroidism. Obtaining a positive diagnosis for central hypothyroidism can be difficult from both a clinical and a biochemical perspective. The diagnosis of central hypothyroidism is based on low circulating levels of free T4 in the presence of low to normal TSH concentrations. The correct diagnosis of both acquired (also termed sporadic) and congenital (also termed genetic) central hypothyroidism can be hindered by methodological interference in free T4 or TSH measurements; routine utilization of total T4 or T3 measurements; concurrent systemic illness that is characterized by low levels of free T4 and normal TSH concentrations; the use of the sole TSH-reflex strategy, which is the measurement of the sole level of TSH, without free T4, if levels of TSH are in the normal range; and the diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism based on TSH analysis without the concomitant measurement of serum levels of T4. In this Review, we discuss current knowledge of the causes of central hypothyroidism, emphasizing possible pitfalls in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

PMID: 28549061

DOI: 10.1038/nrendo.2017.47

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/285...

Afraid full paper is behind a high paywall.

[BadHare]

Something all the endocrinologists I've seen are completely ignorant of!

[humanbean]

Full paper - it might not be at this link for very long :

sci-hub.cc/10.1038/nrendo.2...

[Justiina]

What is considered normal TSH? Anything in the range? Or is it more like the ideal 1.5 or so?

[TSH110 in reply to Justiina]

Justiina in the article they say a TSH of above 0.5 implies the patient is not getting adequate medication. There is a series of bar charts comparing TSH freeT4 and probably free T3 of their subjects and controls. Their subjects have TSH up to about 7 the controls are clearly much lower this difference it is far more obvious than the two other charts in which both are lower in the subjects. Odd they do not question the supposed normal TSH parameters set by our nutty college of endocrinologists. Just dumping that nonsense would help at least diagnose that they had hypothyroidism. As T4 monotherapy is still the choice of treatment for hypothyrodism no matter what kind they would also get the treatment that ought to rectify matters. There is much emphasis laid on regularising cortisol in the article prior to Levo treatment but maybe that should apply to both forms of the disorder equally. Not sure if that would nullify outcomes i.e. just whapping them on Levo - I don't think NHS give a stuff about it as a protocol they don't even admit the deficiency exists in hypothyrodism

[TSH110]

At least if you go on humanbean's link and get a copy you could use it as evidence to support your case