Abstract
Three affected members of a family with persistent TSH elevation, ages 2 1/12, 3 3/12 and 5 9/12 years were assessed at 9:00 a.m. for other pituitary tropic hormones and for their response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). The two younger brothers had been off thyroid medication for over one year, and their older sister had never received thyroid. TRH was given IV at 7 mcg/kg, and TSH measured at times 0 and +30 and +60 minutes. Growth hormone, ACTH, LH and FSH were also measured at time 0 and prolactins measured following TRH.
The baseline TSH's and responses to TRH suggest primary hypothyroidism, but the T-4's are all normal; e.g. 8.4, 9.6 and 8.4 μg/dl (free T-4 = 1.2 ng/dl), and bone ages and height ages are normal. In addition, all three children studied have elevated LH's, which do not appear functional, since none have signs of precocious puberty. The TSH elevation in this family may be functional: A 23 year old affected member of the pedigree recently had a thyroid follicular adenoma removed. Because chronic TSH stimulation may result in thyroid carcinoma, all affected persons have been placed on exogenous thyroid medication.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Netzloff, M. FAMILIAL PERSISTENT THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE ELEVATION. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 172 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00474
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00474
