Evaluation of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) alone as a first-line thyroid function test (TFT) in Papua New Guinea.

In the Port Moresby General Hospital, the Chemical Pathology Department assays both thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) on all requests for a thyroid function test (TFT). The cost of assaying both tests is obviously higher than either test alone. In order to minimize the cost of a TFT we aimed to determine if TSH or FT4 alone as a first-line test would be adequate in assessing the thyroid hormone status of patients.