title: Laboratory testing in hyperthyroidism.
abstract: The clinical diagnosis of hypo- or hyperthyroidism is difficult (full text available online: http://education.amjmed.com/pp1/272). Clinical symptoms and signs are often non-specific, and there is incomplete correlation between structural and functional thyroid gland changes. Laboratory testing is therefore indispensible in establishing the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis. Similar considerations apply to treatment monitoring. Laboratory testing also plays a crucial role in establishing the most likely cause for a patient's hyperthyroidism. Finally, during pregnancy, when isotopic scanning is relatively contraindicated and ultrasound is more difficult to interpret, laboratory testing becomes even more important.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Laboratory, Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Grebe.Stefan@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Stefan K G
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Grebe
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Kahaly
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D013972:Thyrotropin