TSH levels in the evaluation of thryroid disfunction in a population group in Bogota

Abstract

Introduction: TSH has shown to be a reliable screening test for thyroid disease, but we do not have epidemiological data for our population.

Materials and methods: TSH level was evaluated in adult patients, male and female, without previous history of thyroid hormone use, with no previous thyroid dysfunction o TSH measurement. Third generation TSH levels were measured by electrochemioluminiscence at the Endocrinology Service of the Military Hospital.

Results: TSH level was measured in 807 adult patients: 256 men and 551 women with a mean age of 52.05 ± 17.14. 63.19% of the patients had TSH values within the normal range for the assay (0.4-4 mUI/L) with a mean value of 2.11±0.93 (n=510). In women (n=350): 2.09±0.9 and in men (n=160): 2.16±0.98.

Thirty two women (4.95%) had an abnormally low TSH (< 0.4) with levels below 0.1 in 46.8 % of them. Abnormally high TSH levels >4 y <10 were obtained in 24.41% and above 10 in 7.4% of the patients. Most women (32.4%) in the 4-10 mUI/L range were in the 50-60 year old group.

Conclusion: to perform a TSH assay we need a better selection of our population. The higher incidence of elevated TSH levels that we found in women older than 50 suggests the need for a TSH screening in this group of patients.