Part of “CHAPTER 33 – THYROID FUNCTION TESTS“

The clinician has available a large number of tests for evaluating a patient’s thyroid status.57 In many instances, a serum free T₄ estimate and a serum TSH level provide sufficient information for adequate diagnosis and management. However, a number of conditions (e.g., drug use, acute illness, dysproteinemias, autoimmunity, resistance disorders) require additional laboratory procedures for confirmation. Fortunately, a broad spectrum of ancillary tests are available to assist the physician.