title: Correlation between cytology and thyroid function test.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thyroid dysfunction can be evaluated by measuring serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total tri-iodothyronine (T3) and total thyroxine (T4) which will establish euthyroidism, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is the diagnostic test of choice in determining whether a nodule is benign or malignant.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To correlate hormonal levels to FNA cytologic findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty two patients had their thyroid profiles done and the results were correlated with FNA diagnosis. Majority of patients had nodular goiter (83.3%), of which 47.6% had euthyroidism, 16.7% had biochemical euthyroidism, 11.9% had hyperthyroidism, 4.8% had sub-clinical hyperthyroidism and 2.4% had sub-clinical hypothyroidism. Three patients (7.1%) with FNA diagnosis of non-diagnostic sample had euthyroidism while 2.4% each with papillary carcinoma, thyroglossal cyst, and atypia, had a hormonal profile of euthyroidism. There was no significant statistical difference (p > 0.05) of the mean levels of T4 (0.406), T3 (0.311), and TSH (0.90), between and within the various groups of FNA cytological diagnoses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that there was no correlation between T4, T3, and TSH measurements and FNA cytological diagnoses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Health, School of Medicine, Moi University, P.O. Box 4606, Eldoret, Kenya.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Sang
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kigondu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Muchiri
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine