scholarly journals Plasma mineral (selenium, zinc or copper) concentrations in the general pregnant population, adjusted for supplement intake, in relation to thyroid function

2020 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-78
Author(s):  
Victor Pop ◽  
Johannes Krabbe ◽  
Wolfgang Maret ◽  
Margaret Rayman
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Lower Plasma ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Supplement Intake

AbstractThe present study reports on first-trimester reference ranges of plasma mineral Se/Zn/Cu concentration in relation to free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), assessed at 12 weeks’ gestation in 2041 pregnant women, including 544 women not taking supplements containing Se/Zn/Cu. The reference range (2·5th–97·5th percentiles) in these 544 women was 0·72–1·25 µmol/l for Se, 17·15–35·98 µmol/l for Cu and 9·57–16·41 µmol/l for Zn. These women had significantly lower mean plasma Se concentration (0·94 (sd 0·12) µmol/l) than those (n 1479) taking Se/Zn/Cu supplements (1·03 (sd 0·14) µmol/l; P < 0·001), while the mean Cu (26·25 µmol/l) and Zn (12·55 µmol/l) concentrations were almost identical in these sub-groups. Women with hypothyroxinaemia (FT4 below reference range with normal TSH) had significantly lower plasma Zn concentrations than euthyroid women. After adjusting for covariates including supplement intake, plasma Se (negatively), Zn and Cu (positively) concentrations were significantly related to logFT4; Se and Cu (but not Zn) were positively and significantly related to logTSH. Women taking additional Se/Zn/Cu supplements were 1·46 (95 % CI 1·09, 2·04) times less likely to have elevated titres of TPO-Ab at 12 weeks of gestation. We conclude that first-trimester Se reference ranges are influenced by Se-supplement intake, while Cu and Zn ranges are not. Plasma mineral Se/Zn/Cu concentrations are associated with thyroid FT4 and TSH concentrations. Se/Zn/Cu supplement intake affects TPO-Ab status. Future research should focus on the impact of trace mineral status during gestation on thyroid function.

scholarly journals Does foetal gender influence maternal thyroid parameters in pregnancy?

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgiana Sitoris ◽  
Flora Veltri ◽  
Pierre Kleynen ◽  
Malika Ichiche ◽  
Serge Rozenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reference Range ◽  
Thyroid Autoimmunity ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Free T4 ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Maternal Thyroid ◽  
Serum Tsh ◽  
Tsh Levels

Objective It is unknown if foetal gender influences maternal thyroid function during pregnancy. We therefore investigated the prevalence of thyroid disorders and determined first-trimester TSH reference ranges according to gender. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 1663 women with an ongoing pregnancy was conducted. Twin and assisted pregnancies and l-thyroxine or antithyroid treatment before pregnancy were exclusion criteria. Serum TSH, free T4 (FT4) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) were measured at median (interquartile range; IQR) 13 (11–17) weeks of gestation. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) was present when serum TSH levels were >3.74 mIU/L with normal FT4 levels (10.29–18.02 pmol/L), and thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) was present when TPOAb were ≥60 kIU/L. Results Eight hundred and forty-seven women were pregnant with a female foetus (FF) and 816 with a male foetus (MF). In women without TAI and during the gestational age period between 9 and 13 weeks (with presumed high-serum hCG levels), median (IQR range) serum TSH in the FF group was lower than that in the MF group: 1.13 (0.72–1.74) vs 1.24 (0.71–1.98) mIU/L; P = 0.021. First-trimester gender-specific TSH reference range was 0.03–3.53 mIU/L in the FF group and 0.03–3.89 mIU/L in the MF group. The prevalence of SCH and TAI was comparable between the FF and MF group: 4.4% vs 5.4%; P = 0.345 and 4.9% vs 7.5%; P = 0.079, respectively. Conclusions Women pregnant with an MF have slightly but significantly higher TSH levels and a higher upper limit of the first-trimester TSH reference range, compared with pregnancies with a FF. We hypothesise that this difference may be related to higher hCG levels in women pregnant with a FF, although we were unable to measure hCG in this study. Further studies are required to investigate if this difference has any clinical relevance.

scholarly journals Sample Timing, Diagnosis of Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction and Mortality in Acute Myocardial Infarction: ThyrAMI1 Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. e1299-e1306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salman Razvi ◽  
Owain Leng ◽  
Avais Jabbar ◽  
Arjola Bano ◽  
Lorna Ingoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Thyroid Dysfunction ◽  
Reference Interval ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽  
Time Period ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to determine the impact of blood sample timing on the diagnosis of subclinical thyroid dysfunction (SCTD) and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Patients, Design, and Main Outcome Measures Patients with AMI had thyroid function evaluated on admission between December 2014 and December 2016 and those with abnormal serum thyrotropin (TSH) had repeat thyroid function assessed at least a week later. The association between sample timing and SCTD was evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Secondary outcomes were confirmation of SCTD on repeat testing and all-cause mortality up to June 2018. Results Of the 1806 patients [29.2% women, mean (± standard deviation) age of 64.2 (±12.1) years] analyzed, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) was 17.2% (n = 311) and subclinical hyperthyroidism (SHyper) was 1.2% (n = 22) using a uniform TSH reference interval. The risk of being diagnosed with SCTD varied by sample timing in fully-adjusted models. The risk of SCH was highest between 00.01 and 06.00 hours and lowest between 12.01 and 18.00 hours, P for trend &lt;.001, and risk of SHyper was highest between 12.01 hours and 18.00 hours and lowest between 00.01 hours and 06.00 hours. Furthermore, time of the initial sample was associated with the risk of remaining in a SCH state subsequently. Mortality in SCH patients was not elevated when a uniform TSH reference interval was utilized. However, when time period–specific TSH reference ranges were utilized, the mortality risk was significantly higher in SCH patients with HR (95% CI) of 2.26 (1.01–5.19), P = .04. Conclusions Sample timing impacts on the diagnosis and prognosis of SCH in AMI patients. If sample timing is not accounted for, SCH is systemically misclassified, and its measurable influence on mortality is lost.

scholarly journals The T4:TBG Ratio: A Re-Evaluation with Particular Reference to Low and High Serum TBG Levels

1982 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
E C Attwood ◽  
G E Atkin
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
High Serum ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Thyroid Function Tests ◽  
Thyroxine Binding Globulin ◽  
Biochemical Investigation ◽  
Small Increments ◽  
Routine Assay

The thyroxine: thyroxine-binding globulin (T4: TBG) ratio is now an established part of the biochemical investigation of thyroid function. Reference ranges have been reported for euthyroid subjects with TBG levels within the range 6–16 mg/l. Routine assay of TBG on all thyroid function tests in this laboratory has suggested that, in patients with low or high TBG levels, the established reference ranges for T4:TBG may not be strictly applicable. A retrospective study has been made of a large number of thyroid function requests, including serum total T4, free T4, TBG, and TSH assays. Evidence is presented to show that in subjects with a TBG level of less than 8 mg/l the reference range for T4: TBG is elevated. Similarly, in subjects with a TBG greater than 16 mg/l, the reference range for T4: TBG is lowered. The data suggest that it is necessary to quote a T4: TBG reference range based on small increments of TBG levels or to relate total T4 reference ranges to those increments.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone reference range and factors affecting it in a nationwide random sample

2014 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ville L. Langén ◽  
Teemu J. Niiranen ◽  
Juhani Mäki ◽  
Jouko Sundvall ◽  
Antti M. Jula
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Stimulating Hormone

AbstractPrevious studies with mainly selected populations have proposed contradicting reference ranges for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and have disagreed on how screening, age and gender affect them. This study aimed to determine a TSH reference range on the Abbott Architect ci8200 integrated system in a large, nationwide, stratified random sample. To our knowledge this is the only study apart from the NHANES III that has addressed this issue in a similar nationwide setting. The effects of age, gender, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb)-positivity and medications on TSH reference range were also assessed.TSH was measured from 6247 participants randomly drawn from the population register to represent the Finnish adult population. TSH reference ranges were established of a thyroid-healthy population and its subpopulations with increasing and cumulative rigour of screening: screening for overt thyroid disease (thyroid-healthy population, n=5709); screening for TPOAb-positivity (risk factor-free subpopulation, n=4586); and screening for use of any medications (reference subpopulation, n=1849).The TSH reference ranges of the thyroid-healthy population, and the risk factor-free and reference subpopulations were 0.4–4.4, 0.4–3.7 and 0.4–3.4 mU/L (2.5th–97.5th percentiles), respectively. Although the differences in TSH between subgroups for age (p=0.002) and gender (p=0.005) reached statistical significance, the TSH distribution curves of the subgroups were practically superimposed.We propose 0.4–3.4 mU/L as a TSH reference range for adults for this platform, which is lower than those presently used in most laboratories. Our findings suggest that intensive screening for thyroid risk factors, especially for TPOAb-positivity, decreases the TSH upper reference limit.

scholarly journals SAT-576 Possible Involvement of Thyroid Function in PCSK9 Inhibitor Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masayasu Iwabuchi
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Ldl Cholesterol ◽  
Inhibitor Therapy ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase ◽  
Thyroid Function Tests ◽  
Pcsk9 Inhibitors ◽  
Free T4 ◽  
Hyperthyroid Patient ◽  
Pcsk9 Inhibitor ◽  
The Impact

Abstract INTRODUCTION Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibition is an effective strategy for lowering plasma LDL-cholesterol and enhancing the LDL-cholesterol lowering ability of statins. PCSK9, a serine protease that binds to the LDL receptor promoting its degradation, is an important regulator of LDL metabolism. In addition, LDL-cholesterol is also controlled by TSH and thyroid hormones via PCSK9. TSH has received increasing attention as being closely associated with increased LDL-cholesterol level and higher atherosclerotic risks. In vitro study, the effects of TSH on hepatic PCSK9 expression in HepG2 cells were reported (1). I here report a case of transient hyperthyroidism secondary to PCSK9 inhibitor therapy. This case highlights the involvement of thyroid function in PCSK9 Inhibitor therapy. CLINICAL CASE A 65-year-old man had a weight loss of 6 kg (13 lbs.) in 4 months, accompanied with fatigue. He had a past history of myocardial infarction and his LDL was 83 mg/dL by 2.5mg of rosuvastatin and heart rate was controlled by 10mg of carvedilol. Six months ago, he started a PCSK9 Inhibitor therapy with 140mg of evolocumab every 2 weeks for 6 weeks. He had no preceding viral illness and denied anterior neck pain or tenderness. His height was 1.53 m, weight 52.6 kg (115 lbs.), and body mass index (BMI) 22.46 kg/m2. His thyroid was not enlarged and non-tender without clear palpable thyroid nodules or neck lymph nodes. Hyperthyroidism was suspected and confirmed by thyroid function tests: TSH was less than 0.0005 μIU/mL (normal 0.35–4.94), and free T4 1.830 ng/dL (0.70–1.48). Graves’ disease was considered, and thyroid antibody tests performed. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody titer was less than 9 IU/mL (&lt;9), and TSI 141% (&lt;120%). To confirm the diagnosis of this hyperthyroid patient, Technetium-99m uptake and scan was done which showed uptake of 0.8% (0.5–7%). After careful observation for 2 months with 5mg of carvedilol, he turned asymptomatic and free T4 lowered to 1.480 ng/dL and TSH remained less than 0.0005 μIU/mL. CLINICAL LESSONS I here report a case of transient hyperthyroidism secondary to PCSK9 inhibitor therapy. There has been no report of hyperthyroidism induced by PCSK9 inhibitors. Immunological influence of anti-PCSK9 therapy on thyroid is unknown. In this case, the decrease of TSH due to hyperthyroidism was considered to reduce hepatic PCSK9 expression, leading to additive effect to PCSK9 inhibitor. PCSK9 inhibitors may modify the effects of hyperlipidemia treatment by causing changes in thyroid function. When using PCSK9 inhibitors, follow-up of thyroid function should be considered. This case highlights the involvement of thyroid function in PCSK9 inhibitor therapy. Reference (1) Gong, Y., Ma, Y., et al. Thyroid stimulating hormone exhibits the impact on LDLR/LDL-c via up-regulating hepatic PCSK9 expression. Metabolism. 2017;76;32–41

scholarly journals Distribution of thyroid peroxidase positivity and its effects on thyroid function in normal pregnant women during 1st trimester in Dhaka city

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20
Author(s):  
Ohida Sultanaa ◽  
Nasim Jahan ◽  
Nayma Sultana ◽  
Farzana Mahmudad ◽  
Tazdik G Chowdhurye
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Normal Pregnancy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Total Study Population ◽  
Group B

Objective: To measure the distribution of TPO-Ab positivity and to observe the effect of thyroid peroxidase positivity on thyroid function during first trimester in normal pregnancy. Method: A cross sectional among 120 subjects were taken in this study and divided into control and study groups. Control group (Group A) consisted of 60 healthy non pregnant women age ranged between 20 to 35 years. Study group (Group B) consisted of 60 normal pregnant women of same age range. Group B was further subdivided into group B1 and group B2according to the level of TPO-Ab. Group B1 consisted of TPO-Ab positive pregnant women and group B2 consisted of TPO- Ab negative pregnant women. Control group was selected from personal contacts and study group from Out Patient Department (OPD) of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital. For assessment of thyroid function, serum free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured. Serum FT4, TSH were measured by Enzyme link immunosorbant (ELISA) method. Again, serum TPO-Ab of total study population and hCG of all the pregnant women were measured. Serum TPO-Ab by Micro particle Enzyme Immunoassay (MEIA) method and hCG was estimated by ELISA. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 17. Results: In this study, serum FT4 and was significantly (P<0.001) higher and TSH level was significantly (P<0.001) lower in normal pregnant women during 1st trimester in comparison to those of non pregnant women. Again, 18% of pregnant women showed TPO-Ab positivity. However, serum FT4 level was significantly (P<0.001) lower whereas, TSH level was significantly (p<0.001) higher in TPO-Ab positive pregnant women in comparison to those of TPO-Ab negative pregnant women. Conclusion: TPO-Ab positivity increases during 1st trimester of normal pregnancy which decreases the hyper functional state of thyroid hormones. So, thyroid screening should be done routinely during pregnancy. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/updcj.v4i1.21160 Update Dent. Coll. j: 2014; 4 (1): 15-20

P3414Differences in total life expectancy and life expectancy with and without non-communicable diseases within the reference range of thyroid function

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Bano ◽  
L Chaker ◽  
F U S Mattace-Raso ◽  
R P Peeters ◽  
O H Franco
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Normal Thyroid ◽  
Normal Thyroid Function ◽  
Total Life Expectancy ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Variations in thyroid function within the reference ranges are associated with an increased risk of diseases and death. However, the impact of thyroid function on life expectancy (LE) and the number of years lived with and without non-communicable diseases (NCD) remains unknown. Purpose We aimed to investigate the association of thyroid function with total LE and LE with and without NCD among euthyroid subjects. Methods Participants of the Rotterdam Study without known thyroid disease and with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels within the reference ranges were eligible. NCD were defined as the presence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, or cancer. We used multistate life tables to calculate the total LE and LE with and without NCD among TSH and FT4 tertiles, in men and women. LE estimates were obtained using prevalence, incidence rates and hazard ratios for three transitions (healthy to NCD, healthy to death and NCD to death). Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Results The mean (standard deviation) age of 7644 participants was 64.5 (9.7) years and 52.2% were women. Over a median follow-up of 8 years, we observed 1396 incident NCD events and 1422 deaths. Compared with those in the lowest tertile, men and women in the highest TSH tertile lived 1.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8; 2.3) and 1.5 (95% CI, 0.8; 2.2) years longer, respectively; of which 1.4 (95% CI, 0.5; 2.3) and 1.3 (95% CI, 0.3; 2.1) years with NCD. Compared with those in the lowest tertile, the difference in LE for men and women in the highest FT4 tertile was −3.7 (95% CI, −5.1 to −2.2) and −3.3 (95% CI, −4.7; −1.9), respectively; of which −1.8 (95% CI, −3.1 to −0.7) and −2.0 (95% CI, −3.4 to −0.7) years without NCD. Life expectancy in TSH and FT4 tertiles Conclusions There are meaningful differences in total LE, LE with and without NCD within the reference ranges of thyroid function. People with low-normal thyroid function live more years with and without NCD than those with high-normal thyroid function. These findings support a reevaluation of the current reference ranges of thyroid function.

scholarly journals Serum Adenosine Deaminase Values in Healthy People

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Adenosine Deaminase ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Normal Serum ◽  
Healthy People ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Percentile Method ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Almost All

The purpose of this study is to determine the activity of serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) in healthy people, in connection with significant differences in published reference ranges from different authors. In our study, we examined 160 healthy subjects aged 18 to 84, of whom 64 were men and 96 women. We have determined serum adenosine deaminase levels using a method based on the ability of the enzyme adenosine deaminase to catalyze the deamination of adenosine to inosine and ammonia. The catalytic concentration is determined spectrophotometrically by the rate of reduction of NADH measured at 340 nm. We found that normal serum ADA values among our healthy subjects are higher than the recommended reference range for the method we use, namely below 18 U/l. Using the percentile method, we worked out the following reference ranges: for women 14.53 - 25.73 U/l and for men 18.46 – 27.50 U/l. For women, the mean value is 21.07 U/l, and for men 21.30 U/l. At 95% CI, the serum ADA values of almost all subjects included in the study are within the recommended and other authors range of 11.50 - 25.00 U/l.

scholarly journals Substance Use Among Patients Receiving Out- and Inpatient Dependence Care: a Prospective Norwegian Cohort Study From 2016 to 2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jørn Henrik Vold ◽  
Fatemeh Chalabianloo ◽  
Christer F. Aas ◽  
Else-Marie Løberg ◽  
Kjell Arne Johansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Abstract BackgroundContinuous use of amphetamines, alcohol, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, or opioids contributes to health impairments, increased morbidity, and overdose deaths among patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). This study evaluates the impact of inpatient detoxification, specialized opioid agonist therapy (OAT), and low-threshold municipality care on substance use over time. MethodsWe used data from a cohort of SUD patients in Norway through health assessments of self-reported substance use and sociodemographic and clinical factors. A total of 881 substance use measurements, including type and amount of substances, were assessed from 708 SUD patients in 2016-2020. Substance use for individual and total substances was calculated, creating a substance use severity index (SUSI) ranging from zero (no use) to one (daily use). We defined baseline as the first substance use measurement when the measurements were listed chronologically. Time was defined as years from baseline. We used a linear mixed model to analyze associations between the SUSI and inpatient detoxification, specialized OAT compared with low-threshold municipality care, as well as the factors like injecting substance use, gender, and age, presented with coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsNeither inpatient detoxification (mean SUSI change: 0.01, -0.03;0.04) nor specialized OAT (0.03, -0.09;0.14) compared with low-threshold municipality care were associated with changes in substance use over time. Patients who were over 60 years of age (mean SUSI difference: -0.06, -0.13;0.00) had a lower SUSI than those under 30 years of age, while patients who injected substances had a higher SUSI than those who did not inject substances (0.18, 0.15;0.20) at baseline. The mean SUSI for the individual substances were 0.50 (standard deviation (SD): 0.38) for cannabis, 0.40 (0.37) for benzodiazepines, 0.33 (0.34) for amphetamines and cocaine, 0.31 (0.29) for alcohol, and 0.22 (0.31) for opioids at baseline. The mean SUSI of all substances was 0.35 (0.20). Conclusion The present study demonstrates that neither inpatient detoxification nor specialized OAT compared to low-threshold municipality care were associated with changes in substance use over time. Future research needs to evaluate the impact on substance use and healthy survival of multiple health care interventions to this patient group.

scholarly journals SAT-047 Adoption of an Age Adjusted Testosterone Reference Range Reduces Referrals to Endocrine Clinic and New Prescriptions of Testosterone

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Dewdney ◽  
Heidi Mendoza ◽  
Rosemary Clark ◽  
Sandra MacRury ◽  
Rod Harvey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limit ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Male Hypogonadism ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Endocrine Society ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Referral Criteria ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Testosterone levels decline with age. However, until recently well defined harmonised age and/or obesity (BMI &lt;30kg/m2) adjusted reference ranges did not exist.1 There is also a lack of international consensus on whether an age adjusted reference range (RR) should be used to define the syndrome of hypogonadism in men. Our local referral guideline suggests referral to endocrinology is appropriate if morning testosterone is &lt;9.4nmol/L similar to the Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline.2 In mid 2018 our laboratory adopted the published all men age adjusted RR1. We sought to; i) investigate clinic referrals before and after adoption of the all men age adjusted RR and, ii) to model the impact on referrals and prescription of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) had we adopted either the lower limit of either all men or non-obese age adjusted RR as our referral criteria. Despite similar numbers of testosterone levels being measured in the laboratory, referrals to endocrine clinic for investigation of male hypogonadism fell by 52% (n=101 vs 48) in the one year following the introduction of the new age adjusted RR, with a corresponding reduction in prescriptions for testosterone. Mean testosterone concentration (6.7±2.5 vs 6.4±3.9nmol/L [mean±SD], NS), and age (51±13.9 vs 50±17.9 years, NS) of individuals referred were similar before and after the change of RR. Of the 101 patients referred for investigation of hypogonadism prior to the new RR mean testosterone concentrations were 8.5±4.5, 7.3±4.1, 6.8±3.6, 6.7±2.1 & 6.6±1.6nmol/L, with 39, 71, 39, 40 & 17% of the 87 patients seen in clinic being prescribed TRT in age groups 19-39 (n=28), 40-49 (n=7), 50-59 (n=33), 60-69 (n=20) &70-79 (n=6) respectively, excluding those with a history of anabolic steroid use or Klinefelter’s syndrome. Mean BMI was 30.9±4.4kg/m2, which was similar between age groups. Had the lower limit of normal of the all men testosterone RR been employed as our referral criteria in the preceding year, 23.8% (24/101) of referrals would not have met referral criteria, and 26.2% (n=11/42) of those receiving a prescription would potentially not have received a trial of TRT. In contrast, had the non-obese age adjusted RR had been adopted for all men 13.9% (14/101) of referrals would not have met referral criteria and, of those prescribed testosterone, 2.4% (n= 1/42) would not have received a trial of TRT. In conclusion, adoption of the all men age adjusted RR for testosterone has been associated with a significant fall in referrals for investigation of male hypogonadism. However, modelling of historical clinic data would suggest that some non-obese individuals miss out on a therapeutic trial of TRT, especially if the all men, rather than non-obese, age adjusted RR is adopted. Reference: (1) Travison et al, J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2017,102(4):1161-1173, (2) Bhasin S et al,. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. March 2018;103(5):1715-1744.

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