Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Early detection of congenital hypothyroidism (CHT), and treatment with oral thyroxine, supports the critical period of early brain development, improves growth and prevents the metabolic effects of adult hypothyroidism. Screening for CHT, involving an assay for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), has been included in the UK newborn blood spot screening programme since 1981. Since the introduction of screening, the number of CHT cases has increased, although the re...

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) occurs due to dysgenesis or dyshormonogenesis of the thyroid gland. Newborn screening for CH was introduced in the UK over 30 years ago and has almost eliminated the severe intellectual deficits caused by the deficiency of thyroxine to the developing brain. The recognised incidence of CH increased immediately post introduction of screening due to the improved detection and diagnosis of cases. However, further increases in the incidence of CH have...

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a relatively common endocrine condition characterised by raised serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels in the presence of normal circulating thyroid hormones. It is generally recognised that SCH – especially if it is sustained - is a mild form of hypothyroidism but whether it should be treated or not is a matter of a long-standing debate amongst both paediatric as well as adult endocrinologists. In adults, there are conflicting data on the long...