[Problems in thyroid function screening using thyroid stimulating hormone. A case of thyrotoxicosis caused by a thyroid stimulating hormone-secreting pituitary tumor].

UNLABELLED: In a new consensus report from the Danish Society of Internal Medicine a sensitive TSH assay is recommended for screening for thyroid diseases. A patient with thyrotoxicosis, normal serum TSH and a TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma is described. Other reasons for discrepancies between thyroid clinical status and serum TSH are mentioned: Target organ resistance to thyroid hormone, interference in the radioimmunoassay with heterophilic antibodies and insufficient production of TSH because of pituitary disease.

IN

CONCLUSION

Screening with TSH is acceptable, but if any discrepancy between TSH values and the clinical picture is found, further tests must be made.