Thyroid function testing in psychiatric illness: Usefulness and limitations.

The assessment of thyroid function in psychiatric patients may be obscured by several effects of the psychiatric condition on both thyroid hormone and TSH levels. Acute psychiatric decompensation may result in elevation in total T(4) and free T(4) index, and less frequently in hypothyroxinemia. In addition, psychiatric illnesses can cause suppressed TSH levels, blunted TSH response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (particularly in depression), and elevated TSH values that may result in diagnostic errors.

Thyroid microcarcinoma: prevalence, prognosis, and management.

Objective: To review the usual course of thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC) and the associated prognosis and treatment of affected patients.

Methods: We discuss predisposing factors in the formation of TMC and the modulation of its behavior, diagnostic evaluation, and management options.

Results: TMC, generally defined as a well-differentiated thyroid cancer less than or equal to 15 mm in diameter, has an estimated prevalence (based on autopsy studies) of about 5 to 10%.

Socioeconomic factors and the presentation, management, and outcome of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

To determine whether patients from disadvantaged socioeconomic groups present with more advanced thyroid carcinoma or experience differing management and clinical outcomes, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 292 patients seen at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Ben Taub General Hospital between 1987 and 1994. At diagnosis, the mean age was 42 +/- 16 years, 78% of patients were female, 76% of patients were low risk (TNM stage I or II), and 22% high risk (stage III or IV). Neighborhood income (+/- standard error of the mean [SEM]) (1990 census data) was lower in the high-risk group compared with the low-risk group (US dollars 26200 +/- 1670 vs.

The role of frozen section, gender, age, and tumor size in the differentiation of follicular adenoma from carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to reanalyze modern trials and use meta-analysis to determine how well frozen section gender, age, and tumor size could differentiate follicular adenoma from follicular carcinoma.

Method: Inclusion criteria were studies where patients had a permanent pathologic diagnosis of follicular adenoma or follicular carcinoma and underwent frozen section or had clinical features recorded. Data were pooled, and the random effects model of meta-analysis was used.

Effect of decreased plasma low-density lipoprotein levels on adrenal and testicular function in man.

Objective: The study assessed whether serum LDL cholesterol levels affect adrenal and Leydig cell function in man.

Design And Methods: A 24-h continuous ACTH infusion was performed in 15 consecutive chronically ill patients. Serum cortisol and DHEA-s were measured at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 20, and 24 h during the infusion.