{"id":4467,"date":"2022-05-03T11:47:20","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T10:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/thyroid\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T17:02:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T16:02:09","slug":"thyroid","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/endocrinology\/thyroid\/","title":{"rendered":"Thyroid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For more information of Thyroid in Pregnancy please see\u00a0Thyroid Conditions and Pregnancy \u2013 RefHelp (nhslothian.scot)<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Interpretation of Thyroid Function Tests \u2013 CHANGES OCTOBER 2021<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the transition to Roche automated laboratory equipment there has been associated changes in reference values for all thyroid function tests. Based on comparative studies, clinical biochemistry predict there may be a greater instance of patients with apparent high free T4 but normal TSH,\u00a0particularly in patients treated with thyroxine<\/span><\/strong>.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roche themselves indicate a separate free T4\u00a0reference range for ‘patients on thyroxine treatment with euthyroid TSH’ of\u00a014-28 pmol\/L<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0Please consider this and interpret the results of free T4 and TSH measurements together alongside clinical findings before considering referral to endocrinology.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

General thyroid disease will be seen in the endocrine clinics at RIE, WGH and SJH. Advice can be sought on any thyroid question by selecting the ‘Advice only’ option on SCI Gateway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients with\u00a0suspected thyroid cancer<\/a>\u00a0<\/a>and euthyroid patients with goitres should be referred to the thyroid nodule clinic<\/a> at RIE via SCI Gateway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note that none of the endocrinologists in the Edinburgh Centre for Endocrinology will prescribe desiccated thyroid extract (also known as DTE, natural desiccated thyroid, NDT or Armour thyroid), in line with advice from the British Thyroid Association.\u00a0 Please see\u00a0 the\u00a0British Thyroid Association statement<\/a> on the management of hypothyroidism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Edinburgh Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes gives details about clinics<\/a> as well as information and support for patients<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please see individual pages for other details:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thyroid eye disease<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hyperthyroidism<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hypothyroidism and TFTs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n