TSH Alone Would Be A Sufficient Screening Test For Thyroid Hormone ...

• Publications
• Meetings
• Newsroom
• Membership
• Login

• Home
• Professionals
  • Events & Education
  • ATA Publications
  • ATA Guidelines & Statements
  • Research Grants
  • Thyroid Cancer Patient Information
  • Trainees Corner
  • Corporate Leadership Council
  • ATA Career Center
  • Laboratory Services Library
  • Scientific & Professional Interest
  • THYROID Calculators
    • Thyroid Cancer Staging Calculator
    • (CEA) Doubling Time Calculator
    • Change In Thyroid Nodule Volume Calculator
• Patients
  • Thyroid Patient Information
  • Find an Endocrinology – Thyroid Specialist
  • Patient Support Links
  • Clinical Thyroidology for the Public
  • Friends of the ATA Newsletter
  • ATA Practice Guidelines
  • Clinical Trials
  • ATA Research Accomplishments
• Members
  • Member Benefits
  • Become an ATA Member
  • Renew Your Membership
  • Member Guidelines & Categories
  • Society Committees
  • Member Directory
  • Trainee Membership
  • Meet our Members
  • Women in Thyroidology
  • Corporate Leadership Council
  • Member Publication Access
    • Thyroid Online Access
    • Clinical Thyroidology Online
    • Video Endocrinology
• About
  • Leadership & Staff
  • Committees & Workgroups
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
  • Governance
  • Awards & Recognition
  • Our History
• Donate
  • Give Online
  • Valerie Anne Galton Fund
  • Samuel Refetoff Fund
  • Ridgway Legacy Fund
  • Memorial or Tribute Gift Donation
  • Workplace Giving
  • Estate and Planned Giving
  • Donate by Mail/Fax/Phone
  • Research Accomplishments

Home » Patients Portal » Clinical Thyroidology for the Public » December 2018 » Vol 11 Issue 12 p.7-8

CLINICAL THYROIDOLOGY FOR THE PUBLIC A publication of the American Thyroid Association

Summaries for the Public from recent articles in Clinical Thyroidology

Table of Contents | PDF File for Saving and Printing

THYROID FUNCTION TESTS TSH alone would be a sufficient screening test for thyroid hormone abnormalities

BACKGROUND Thyroid problems are common in adults. There are different recommendations on how to screen for abnormal thyroid hormone levels that may indicate a thyroid problem, and therefore, there are many variations in how this is done. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is the most commonly ordered test, with free thyroxine (FT4) levels ordered at the same time as TSH in 38% of the cases. In a one-step approach, both TSH and FT4 are measured initially. Alternatively, TSH is measured first, then FT4 is measured only if TSH is abnormal in a two-step approach. The cost for testing thyroid function in the United States is high, estimated at $1.6 billion every year. The present study was done to determine whether a one-step approach would be sufficient to screen for thyroid hormone abnormalities, and whether there is a clinical risk score that can be used to predictor risk of developing abnormal thyroid hormone levels.

THE FULL ARTICLE TITLE:

Schneider C et al 2018 Initial evaluation of thyroid dysfunction—are simultaneous TSH and fT4 tests necessary? PLoS One 13:e0196631.PMID: 29709030.

SUMMARY OF THE STUDY

The results of thyroid function tests from 4,471 adults in Bussleton, Australia from 1994 were studied using previously collected records. Those who were taking thyroid medications were excluded from the study. Participants with normal TSH were considered euthyroid (normal thyroid function), those with slightly high TSH and normal FT4 were considered mildly hypothyroid (subclinical hypothyroidism), those with very high TSH or slightly high TSH with low FT4 were considered severely hypothyroid (overt hypothyroidism). Participants with low TSH and normal FT4 were considered mildly hyperthyroid (subclinical hyperthyroidism), and with low TSH and high FT4 were considered severely hyperthyroid (overt hyperthyroidism).

The proportion of people with normal TSH and low or high FT4 levels, who would have been missed with a one-step approach were calculated. Various characteristics of participants, including gender, age, smoking status, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, alcohol use, use of thyroid-affecting medications, and menopausal status, were used to determine whether these can be used to calculate a score to predict risk of thyroid hormone abnormalities.

The average age of participants was 51 years (range, 16.5-97) and 55% were women. This population was considered iodine-sufficient and mostly white. Of 4,471 adults, 35 (0.8%) had overt hypothyroidism, 86 (1.9%) subclinical hypothyroidism, 23 (0.5%) overt hyperthyroidism, and 170 (0.5%) subclinical hyperthyroidism. A total of 82 (1.8%) had normal TSH and low FT4 levels, and 87 (1.9%) had normal TSH and high FT4 levels. The FT4 levels were very close to the normal range in a majority (144 participants, 85%) of 169 participants with normal TSH but low or high FT4 levels.

Significant risk factors for hypothyroidism included being female, age 50 to 75 years, age > 75 years, and BMI ≥ 30kg/m2. The only significant risk factor for hyperthyroidism was smoking status. However, both sets of risk factors did not have good level of prediction of thyroid hormone abnormalities.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS STUDY?

Only 7% of adults needed both TSH and FT4 to be checked to determine whether their thyroid hormone levels were abnormal. Even in those with low or high FT4 but normal TSH, FT4 levels were very close to normal range, and unlikely to have caused any clinical symptoms that warranted treatment.

Since the majority of patients did not need FT4 levels to make the diagnosis of thyroid hormone abnormalities, it would be most cost-effective to have a two-step approach in assessing thyroid dysfunction, where TSH is measured and FT4 is measured only if TSH is abnormal. There are rare cases of hypothyroidism from pituitary problem, where both TSH and FT4 levels are low, but these patients typically have other clinical signs that would suggest such diagnosis.

— Sun Y. Lee, MD

ATA THYROID BROCHURE LINKS

Thyroid Function Tests: https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-function-tests/

Hyperthyroidism (Overactive): https://www.thyroid.org/hyperthyroidism/

Hypothyroidism (Underactive): https://www.thyroid.org/hypothyroidism/

ABBREVIATIONS & DEFINITIONS

Euthyroid: a condition where the thyroid gland as working normally and producing normal levels of thyroid hormone.

Hypothyroidism: a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive and doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Treatment requires taking thyroid hormone pills.

Subclinical Hypothyroidism: a mild form of hypothyroidism where the only abnormal hormone level is an increased TSH. There is controversy as to whether this should be treated or not.

Overt Hypothyroidism: clear hypothyroidism with an increased TSH and a decreased T4 level. All patients with overt hypothyroidism are usually treated with thyroid hormone pills.

Hyperthyroidism: a condition where the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism may be treated with antithyroid meds (Methimazole, Propylthiouracil), radioactive iodine or surgery.

Subclinical Hyperthyroidism: a mild form of hyperthyroidism where the only abnormal hormone level is a decreased TSH.

Overt Hyperthyroidism: clear hyperthyroidism with a decreased TSH and an increased T4 levels.

Central hypothyroidism: a rare cause of hypothyroidism where the thyroid gland is normal and the problem is inadequate TSH secretion from the pituitary gland.

Pituitary gland: this endocrine gland sits at the base of the brain and secretes hormones that control thyroid and adrenal function, growth and reproduction. The pituitary gland secretes TSH to control thyroid function.

Table of Contents | PDF File for Saving and Printing

MEETINGS

2025 ATA Annual Meeting Annual Scientific Abstracts Exhibit Partnerships

RESOURCES

ATA Clinical Calculators Career Center History Timeline

THYROID NEWS

Current Thyroid News Press Releases & Announcements Thyroid Condition Brochures

Members

My Member Login Renew Your Membership Member Benefits & Categories ATA Member Newsletters

PARTNERS

Corporate Leadership Council (CLC)

Publications

ATA Member Thyroid Journal Bundle Access ATA Guidelines & Statements Guideline Pocketcards Clinical Thyroidology for the Public (CTFP)

AWARDS

Member Awards ATA Research Grants Search

About the ATA

Mission, Vision, Goals Leadership Staff

Contact

ATA Headquarters 2000 Duke Street, Suite 300 Alexandria, VA 22314 Contact Form

Legal

Privacy | Terms of Use AMERICAN THYROID ASSOCIATION® , ATA® , THYROID® , CLINICAL THYROIDOLOGY® , and the distinctive circular logo are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as trademarks of the American Thyroid Association® , Inc.

© 2025 American Thyroid Association.