[Values of thyrotropin, free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine using chemiluminescence in children and adolescents in the Autonomous Community of Madrid (Spain)].
OBJECTIVE
To establish the reference ranges of thyrotropin (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) with the chemiluminescence method in healthy children and adolescents in Madrid, Spain.


METHODS
A total of 371 children and adolescents of both sexes, with different ages and at different pubertal stage participated in the study. Serum values of TSH, FT3, and FT4 were determined by chemiluminescence.


RESULTS
TSH, FT4 and FT3 reference ranges decreased inversely with chronological age. Significant differences were found between prepubertal and pubertal groups. In some groups, there were also occasional differences between sexes.


CONCLUSIONS
Thyroid hormone levels decrease with chronological age. Because of the differences in hormone levels between prepubertal and pubertal subjects, we believe that different pubertal stages should be included in the standard reference values of these hormones.
García Cuartero
B
B
Servicio de Pediatría.Hospital Severo Ochoa. Madrid. España. bgarciac@hsvo.insalud.es
García Lacalle
C
C
Jiménez Lobo
C
C
Nebreda Pérez
V
V
Calvo Rey
C
C
García Vergaz
A
A
Alcázar Villar
N J
NJ
de la Torre Verdú
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D013030:Spain; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood*; D014505:Urban Population
D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine