[The practice guideline 'Thyroid disorders' (first revision) from the Dutch college of General Practitioners; a response from the perspective of general practice].
The Dutch College of General Practitioners has launched its revised guideline for thyroid disorders. By including palpable lesions this guideline now covers a broad range of thyroid disorders. In general, the guideline is clear, usable and evidence-based. The measurement of thyroid antibody concentrations has been added to the work-up of hyperthyroidism, and the treatment of hyperthyroidism is considered optional for the general practitioner. Nearly all forms of hypothyroidism can be diagnosed and treated by a general practitioner, and the guideline provides well-defined recommendations on this topic. Regarding the treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism, however, the guidelines are ambivalent and less clear. The work-up for palpable lesions is unambiguous; this addition certainly enriches the new guideline for thyroid disorders.
Schers
H J
HJ
Universitair Medisch Centrum St Radboud, afd. Huisartsgeneeskunde, Nijmegen. h.schers@hag.umcn.nl
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D009426:Netherlands; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012955:Societies, Medical