In Hashimoto's, what lab pattern would be expected?

Prepare for the Neurosonology Exam with our comprehensive quiz. Engage with interactive flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and detailed explanations. Enhance your readiness and confidence for the test!

Multiple Choice

In Hashimoto's, what lab pattern would be expected?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis causes autoimmune destruction of the thyroid, so its ability to produce thyroid hormones falls. When T4 and T3 drop, the pituitary senses this lack of thyroid hormone and ramps up TSH in an attempt to stimulate the thyroid. The result is a lab pattern of low T3 and T4 with a high TSH, which reflects overt hypothyroidism. TSH is the most sensitive indicator of hypothyroidism, so if the disease is detected early you can see a high TSH even with normal T4 (subclinical hypothyroidism), but once the thyroid output falls, T4 and T3 are reduced and TSH remains elevated. If the hormones were high with a suppressed TSH, that would indicate hyperthyroidism, and if both hormones and TSH were normal, the thyroid function would be euthyroid.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis causes autoimmune destruction of the thyroid, so its ability to produce thyroid hormones falls. When T4 and T3 drop, the pituitary senses this lack of thyroid hormone and ramps up TSH in an attempt to stimulate the thyroid. The result is a lab pattern of low T3 and T4 with a high TSH, which reflects overt hypothyroidism. TSH is the most sensitive indicator of hypothyroidism, so if the disease is detected early you can see a high TSH even with normal T4 (subclinical hypothyroidism), but once the thyroid output falls, T4 and T3 are reduced and TSH remains elevated. If the hormones were high with a suppressed TSH, that would indicate hyperthyroidism, and if both hormones and TSH were normal, the thyroid function would be euthyroid.

More practice questions