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Thyroid Function Testing pp 173–185Cite as

Assessing Thyroid Function in Infants and Children

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Part of the book series: Thyroid Function Testing ((ENDO,volume 28))

Abstract

This chapter will review assessment of thyroid function through measurement of serum thyroid hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in infants and children. There are aspects of thyroid function that are unique to infants and children, as compared to thyroid function in adults. While serum TSH is the single most accurate test to diagnose hypo- or hyperthyroidism [1], age-related normal ranges are higher and vary with age more in infants and children as compared to adults [2]. Further, a TSH level alone is not adequate to diagnose central hypothyroidism or thyroid hormone resistance. In addition, in the early stages of thyroid dysfunction, a serum TSH abnormality will precede an abnormality in thyroid hormone levels, e.g., mild or subclinical hypo- or hyperthyroidism. For all of these reasons, pediatric endocrinologists prefer to measure both serum TSH and serum free thyroxine (T4; or total T4) in the evaluation of patients with suspected thyroid dysfunction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Oregon Health & Science University, 97239, Portland, OR, USA

    Stephen H. LaFranchi

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  1. Alicia G. Marks
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  2. Stephen H. LaFranchi
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Correspondence to Stephen H. LaFranchi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, 90095, USA

    Gregory A. Brent

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Marks, A., LaFranchi, S. (2010). Assessing Thyroid Function in Infants and Children. In: Brent, G. (eds) Thyroid Function Testing. Thyroid Function Testing, vol 28. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1485-9_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1485-9_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1484-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1485-9

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