Endocrinology

Answer 4 Euthyroid sick syndrome. The patient has euthyroid sick syndrome and should not be treated for a thyroid problem. Patients with serious acute health problems can have abnormal values on thyroid tests (mainly decreased thyrotropin and normal or decreased serum thyroxine levels) that are temporary and normalize soon after general health status improves. In primary hypothyroidism, thyrotropin is elevated, and in hyperthyroidism, thyrotropin is suppressed and serum thyroxine is elevated. In central hypothyroidism and pituitary apoplexy, patients present with symptoms of panhypopituitarism, and thyrotropin levels could even be normal. Click here to return to the questions

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