Abstract
Serum T4, T3 uptake, T3, basal TSH and TSH response to TRH were measured in 19 children aged 1-17 yrs with agoitrous hypothyroidism on thyroxine. Normal values were established using 15 well children aged 2-16 yrs with constitutional short stature.
The pituitary-thyroid axis appeared to function normally in the hypothyroid children; the response to TRH was not influenced by the age of onset of hypothyroidism or duration of therapy. Δ TSH was the best single determinant of abnormal biochemical thyroid status, but the serum T4 and basal TSH used in combination were equally satisfactory providing the child was not suffering from intercurrent infection.
Four children had normal TRH respons (Δ TSH 4-21 mU/L) 5 exaggerated (Δ TSH 50-1125 mU/L) and 10 suppressed responses (Δ TSH -1 to +1 mU/L). There was a poor correlation with the clinical impression of thyroid status, and with growth velocity and bone age.
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Rayner, P., Bodden, S. & Rudd, B. How should we assess thyroxine dosage?. Pediatr Res 12, 1096 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197811000-00091
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197811000-00091