secondary hypothyroidism
Last reviewed 04/2021
Secondary hypothyroidism is seen when there is interference in
- tyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) production by the hypothalamus or its delivery via the pituitary stalk
- thyrotropin production in the pituitary
The most common causes are pituitary adenomas and the surgery and/or radiotherapy used to treat them (1).
The disease is diagnosed by a combination of TSH with free T4:
- plasma TSH - can be low, within range or mildly elevated
- free T4 - is low (1)
Patients should be referred to a specialist for further investigations and management. In patients with secondary hypothyroidism, adequacy of thyroxine replacement should be assessed by measuring free T4 levels (1).
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