Which of the following statements best describes the lab pattern in primary hypothyroidism?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements best describes the lab pattern in primary hypothyroidism?

Explanation:
In primary hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland itself isn’t producing enough hormones, so free T4 falls. The pituitary detects this drop and raises TSH in an attempt to stimulate the thyroid. The result is a high TSH level with a low free T4 level, which is the classic lab pattern for this condition. If TSH were low or normal with a low T4, that would point to a problem at the pituitary or hypothalamus, not the thyroid. If TSH were high but T4 were normal, that would be subclinical hypothyroidism.

In primary hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland itself isn’t producing enough hormones, so free T4 falls. The pituitary detects this drop and raises TSH in an attempt to stimulate the thyroid. The result is a high TSH level with a low free T4 level, which is the classic lab pattern for this condition. If TSH were low or normal with a low T4, that would point to a problem at the pituitary or hypothalamus, not the thyroid. If TSH were high but T4 were normal, that would be subclinical hypothyroidism.

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