title: [Thyroid stimulating hormone reference values derived from the 2009-2010 Chilean National Health Survey].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The determination of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) reference values is critical for the diagnosis of thyroid diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore and discuss different definitions to establish TSH reference values using a Chilean national survey sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 2009-2010 Chilean National Health Survey recruited 5,416 participants between the ages of 15 and 96 years, from all geographic regions of Chile, including urban and rural zones. TSH was measured in a random subsample of 2,785 adults. Median value, 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles were described in three different populations: total survey population, "disease-free population" and the "laboratory kit disease free population".
  
  
  RESULTS
  TSH values were higher among women, the elderly and the less educated population. The 97.5 percentile value in the disease-free population was 7.46 uUl/ml. Using this value as a cut-off, hypothyroidism prevalence would be 4.8% in Chile and estimated pharmacological treatment coverage would be 58%. When laboratory kit cut-offs are used, prevalence rises to 22% and treatment coverage drops to 12%. The 2.5 percentile value in the disease-free population was 0.83 uUl/ml, which yields an estimated hyperthyroidism prevalence of 3.89%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Median TSH concentration values in the Chilean "disease-free population" are higher than those proposed by laboratory kits and those of developed countries. TSH values in the general population of Chile are also higher in women, the elderly and the less educated population.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Endocrinología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile. mosso@med.puc.cl
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mosso
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Margozzini
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trejo
authors.forename: Angélica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Domínguez
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Solari
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valdivia
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arteaga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013972:Thyrotropin