Thyroid dysfunction is frequently screened for but rarely identified in rapid access cardiology services

Samah Idriss; Roa Ahmed; Amal Said; Mohamed Ali; Rania Ali; Julie Martin-Grace; Susan McKenna; David Burke; Carla Moran

doi:10.1530/endoabs.115.EP23

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Endocrine Abstracts (2026) 115 EP23 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.115.EP23

IES2025 Research, Audit and Quality Improvement Projects E-Posters (60 abstracts)

Thyroid dysfunction is frequently screened for but rarely identified in rapid access cardiology services

Samah Idriss ¹ , Roa Ahmed ¹ , Amal Said ¹ , Mohamed Ali ¹ , Rania Ali ¹ , Julie Martin-Grace1 , Susan McKenna ¹ , David Burke ^1,2 & Carla Moran ^1,2,3

Author affiliations

¹Beacon Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; ²University College Dublin, Ireland; ³St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Symptoms of thyroid disease (TD) can overlap with those of cardiac disease. Clinics offering rapid assessment of cardiac symptoms are expanding nationwide. We sought to determine: (i) the frequency of TFT measurements and (ii) prevalence of TD in patients presenting to a rapid access cardiology clinic (RACC). A retrospective review was conducted of all patients presenting to the RACC over one week. Seventy-six patients attended, median age 55 years, 53% male. The majority (65%) were GP referrals. Common presenting symptoms were chest pain (50%), palpitations (30%), and dyspnoea (30%). Pre-existing TD, exclusively hypothyroidism, was documented in 4% of patients. TFTs (TSH, FT 4) were performed in 95% (72/76). 5% (4/72) were abnormal, as follows; hypothyroidism (n1; TSH 8.68mU/l, FT 4 12.6 pmol/l), isolated hypothyroxinaemia (n2; TSH 2.52mU/l, FT 4 11.6 pmol/l; TSH 0.77 mU/l, FT 4 11.0 pmol/l), and isolated hyperthyroxinaemia in 1 (TSH 1.12mU/l, FT 4 21.8 pmol/l). Reference ranges: TSH 0.27-4.2mU/l, FT 4 11.9-21.6. Despite the high rate of TFT testing in this cohort, abnormal results were uncommon. When present, these did not prompt specific follow-up actions. Our findings suggest that routine TFT screening in RACC patients may be unnecessary, and that testing could be reserved for those with known TD or clinical suspicion. Improved communication pathways between endocrinology and cardiology are needed to ensure appropriate follow-up for the subset of patients who require further endocrine evaluation.