perchlorate discharge test
Last reviewed 01/2018
This is a test to confirm a clinical diagnosis of Pendred's syndrome.
Perchlorate displaces non-organified iodide from the thyroid. In Pendred's syndrome there is a defect in the organification of iodine.
The basis of the perchlorate discharge test is:
- radioactive iodine is given to the patient
- time is allowed for the iodine to be captured by the thyroid
- oral perchlorate is administered
- patients with Pendred's syndrome show an abnormally rapid loss of radioactive iodine from the thyroid