If hypothyroidism is suspected, which analyte changes would you expect?

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Multiple Choice

If hypothyroidism is suspected, which analyte changes would you expect?

In hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone levels fall and the pituitary responds by raising TSH to stimulate more hormone production. This low FT4 with high TSH is accompanied by lipid abnormalities since thyroid hormones help regulate lipid metabolism, leading to higher cholesterol and often higher triglycerides. TRH from the hypothalamus can also boost prolactin release, so prolactin may be increased as well. So the expected pattern is cholesterol up, free T4 down, prolactin up, triglycerides up, and TSH up. This combination aligns with primary hypothyroidism, where the thyroid isn’t producing enough hormone despite high TSH.

In hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone levels fall and the pituitary responds by raising TSH to stimulate more hormone production. This low FT4 with high TSH is accompanied by lipid abnormalities since thyroid hormones help regulate lipid metabolism, leading to higher cholesterol and often higher triglycerides. TRH from the hypothalamus can also boost prolactin release, so prolactin may be increased as well. So the expected pattern is cholesterol up, free T4 down, prolactin up, triglycerides up, and TSH up. This combination aligns with primary hypothyroidism, where the thyroid isn’t producing enough hormone despite high TSH.

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