Thyroid screening. How to interpret and apply the results.

The ultrasensitive third-generation assay for thyrotropin (TSH) is now the "gold standard" for measuring thyroid activity. Who should be screened with it, and what further studies should be done if results are abnormal? Which patients with subclinical disease should receive treatment? Drs Brody and Reichard discuss these and other issues and provide an algorithm for thyroid screening.