Interpreting Minor Variations in Thyroid Function or Echostructure: Treating Patients, Not Numbers or Images

Abstract

Overt thyroid dysfunction is documented by serum thyrotropin or T4 concentrations are often ordered for nonspecific complaints and will by definition fall outside of the 95% reference range 5% of the time. In addition, most laboratories quote adult ranges, which are not necessarily applicable to young children, and regression toward the mean is common, justifying that the test be repeated before embarking on treatment. On the other hand, neck ultrasounds are frequently performed for diffuse goiter or non-thyroid conditions. Yet, an ultrasound is not required to make a diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis and small cysts and nodules discovered incidentally often lead to unjustified concerns about neoplasia.

Keywords: Children; Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism; Incidental; Nodule; Overt; Thyroid; Ultrasonography.