CLINICAL THYROIDOLOGY FOR PATIENTS
A publication of the American Thyroid Association
Summaries for Patients from Clinical Thyroidology (from recent articles in Clinical Thyroidology)
Table of Contents | PDF File for Saving and Printing
THYROID HORMONES
Both age and sex affects the relationship between blood levels of T4 and TSH
ABBREVIATIONS & DEFINITIONS
Hypothyroidism: a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive and doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Treatment requires taking thyroid hormone pills.
Hyperthyroidism: a condition where the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism may be treated with antithyroid meds (Methimazole, Propylthiouracil), radioactive iodine or surgery.
BACKGROUND
The main thyroid hormone that is produced by the thyroid gland is thyroxine (T4). The production of T4 is regulated by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which is secreted by the pituitary gland. T4 is measured in the blood as free T4 (FT4). In general, there is a direct relationship between blood levels of FT4 and TSH. However, there is little information as to whether age or sex has any influence on this FT4:TSH relationship. This is important, since management of the treatment of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism relies on getting both FT4 and TSH in the normal range. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of age and sex on the relationship between blood measurements of FT4 and TSH.
THE FULL ARTICLE TITLE:
Hadlow NC et al. The relationship between TSH and free T4 in a large population is complex, non-linear and differs by age and gender. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. May 13, 2013 [Epub ahead of print].
SUMMARY OF THE STUDY
The authors of this study examined the general relationship between TSH and FT4, as well as differences according to age and sex, using blood samples from 152,261 individuals that had been collected in a single laboratory in Australia over 12 years. The study excluded blood specimens from individuals who were in hospital, pregnant, younger than 1 year of age, since these factors can alter both FT4 and TSH levels. Approximately 21% of the blood specimens in the study were from individuals who were taking thyroid hormone. The authors performed complex statistical analyses and graphed the results, determining that the relationship between TSH and FT4 levels was complex. For FT4 measurements that were within the normal range, men tended to have slightly higher TSH values than women and TSH values tended to be higher with older age. However, in hypothyroid patients with low FT4 levels below normal range, TSH values tended not to be as high in older individuals as compared to younger individuals. In general, when FT4 levels were normal, the relationship between TSH measurements and FT4 was not significantly different between individuals treated with thyroid hormone, as compared to those not treated with thyroid hormone.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS STUDY?
This study shows that the relationship between TSH and FT4 blood measurements is more complex than originally thought. In patients with normal thyroid function, men appear to have higher TSH levels than women. The degree of TSH elevation in hypothyroidism is less in the older patient than in the younger one. Thus, this study suggests that both age and sex need to be taken in consideration when interpreting blood levels of FT4 and TSH.
— Anna Sawka, MD
ATA THYROID BROCHURE LINKS
Hypothyroidism: http://www.thyroid.org/what-is-hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism: http://www.thyroid.org/what-is-hyperthyroidism
Thyroid Hormone Treatment: http://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-hormone-treatment
Patient Education
Patient Publications
Connect with Us
AMERICAN THYROID ASSOCIATION® , ATA® , THYROID® , CLINICAL THYROIDOLOGY® , and the distinctive circular logo are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as trademarks of the American Thyroid Association® , Inc.