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.117.P234

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Endocrine Abstracts (2026) 117 P234 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.117.P234

SFEBES2026 Poster Presentations Thyroid (34 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-Grace ¹ , Susan McKenna ¹ , David Burke ^1,2 & Carla Moran ^1,2,3

Author affiliations

¹Beacon Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; ²University College Dublin, 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 in Ireland. We sought to determine; (i) the frequency of TFT measurements and (ii) the 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, FT4, Roche assay) were performed in 95% (72/76). 5% (4/72) were abnormal, as follows; hypothyroidism (n1; TSH 8.68mU/l, FT4 12.6pmol/l), isolated hypothyroxinaemia (n2; TSH 2.52mU/l, FT4 11.6pmol/l; TSH 0.77mU/l, FT4 11.0pmol/l), and isolated hyperthyroxinaemia in 1 (TSH 1.12mU/l, FT4 21.8pmol/l). Reference intervals: TSH 0.27-4.2mU/l, FT4 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 small subset of patients who require further endocrine evaluation.