This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Low or normal TSH, low free thyroid hormones

Authoring team

This combination is most frequently seen in patients with other non-thyroid illness.

In the patient who is not systemically unwell then the low TSH may reflect pituitary pathology with secondary hypothyroidism. It is important to make this diagnosis because:

  • the associated hypoadrenalism may be fatal
  • pituitary tumours may cause severe local damage

The investigation should include:

  • short Synacthen test
  • FSH, LH and sex steroid determinations
  • MRI of the brain

Patients who have recently been treated for hyperthyroidism may have residual suppression of TSH levels for up to a year. Such patients who have low TSH and low free thyroid hormones are hypothyroid and should be treated as such.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.