Summary for consumers This table describes the medical service, the recommendation(s) of the clinical experts and why the recommendation(s) has been made. Recommendation 1: TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) Item What it does Committee recommendation What would be different Why 66716 Measures blood levels of the Include guidance on when the To testing with current medical The test would be avoided in patients who hormone that stimulates the test is appropriate for doctors guidelines, such as the RACGP Choosing Wisely do not show thyroid disease symptoms, thyroid gland, to assess thyroid to request. recommendations. unless they are pregnant or at high risk of disease. thyroid disease. Recommendation 2: TFTs (thyroid function tests) Item What it does Committee recommendation What would be different Why 66719 Measures levels of thyroid Include guidance on when the To align testing with current medical The test be avoided in patients when the hormones to assess thyroid test is appropriate for doctors guidelines. results can be unreliable and misleading. disease. and pathologists to request. Recommendation 3: New item for TFTs Item What it does Committee recommendation What would be different Why New item Measures all thyroid hormone Create a new item that includes For most patients TFT tests don't include An additional test would be available that levels. the measurement of all thyroid testing all thyroid hormones, but for some measures the levels of all thyroid hormones hormone levels in patients with with suppressed TSH the additional tests will in patients with totally suppressed TSH. totally suppressed offer more information about the severity and hormone (TSH). prognosis of their overactive thyroid and identify patients with toxic levels of thyroid hormones. Recommendation 4: Oral glucose tolerance and challenge Item What it does Committee recommendation What would be different Why
Summary for consumers This table describes the medical service, the recommendation(s) of the clinical experts and why the recommendation(s) has been made. Recommendation 1: TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) Item What it does Committee recommendation What would be different Why 66716 Measures blood levels of the hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland, to assess thyroid disease. Include guidance on when the test is appropriate for doctors to request. The test would be avoided in patients who do not show thyroid disease symptoms, unless they are pregnant or at high risk of thyroid disease. To testing with current medical guidelines, such as the RACGP Choosing Wisely recommendations. Recommendation 2: TFTs (thyroid function tests) Item What it does Committee recommendation What would be different Why 66719 Measures levels of thyroid hormones to assess thyroid disease. Include guidance on when the test is appropriate for doctors and pathologists to request. The test be avoided in patients when the results can be unreliable and misleading. To align testing with current medical guidelines. Recommendation 3: New item for TFTs Item What it does Committee recommendation What would be different Why New item Measures all thyroid hormone levels. Create a new item that includes the measurement of all thyroid hormone levels in patients with totally suppressed hormone (TSH). An additional test would be available that measures the levels of all thyroid hormones in patients with totally suppressed TSH. For most patients TFT tests don't include testing all thyroid hormones, but for some with suppressed TSH the additional tests will offer more information about the severity and prognosis of their overactive thyroid and identify patients with toxic levels of thyroid hormones. Recommendation 4: Oral glucose tolerance and challenge Item What it does Committee recommendation What would be different Why
Report%20from%20the%20Pathology%20Clinical%20Committee%20-%20Endocrine%20Tests%20-%20public%20consultation.docx