Prescription of the thyroid test results at the biochemistry laboratory in Antananarivo in 2018

Rakotoniaina TL 1, Ranaivosoa MK 2, *, Rakotonindrina FI 3, Rakoto Alson OA 4 and Rasamindrakotroka A 5

1 Medical Biology Student, Laboratory of Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital Antananarivo, Madagascar.
2 Biologist, Laboratory of Biochemistry of Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital Antananarivo, Madagascar.
3 Biologist, Laboratory Unit of University Hospital Center Mahavoky Atsimo Mahajanga, Madagascar.
4 Professor of Biological Haematology, Medical Biology Department of the Faculty of Medicine Antananarivo, Madagascar.
5 Professor of Immunology, Laboratory of Training and Research in Medical Biology, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2021, 05(02), 019-024.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjbphs.2021.5.2.0012
Publication history: 
Received on 05 January 2021; revised on 04 February 2021; accepted on 06 February 2021
 
Abstract: 
According to National Authority for Health, the isolated dosage of TSH, in first-line, is a sufficient supply for the diagnosis and monitoring of thyroid dysfunction. The purpose of this study are to determine the prevalence of prescriptions of thyroid test, evaluate the practices on the prescription of thyroid tests compared to international recommendations. It is a descriptive retropective study within a period of 12 months. All the files with a request for TSH and / or thyroid hormone were included in this study. All files with a previous thyroid check-up or as part of a dysthyroidism follow-up assessment were excluded.
Among the 72600 prescriptions for biochemical tests, 184 corresponded to the prescription of thyroid tests, it means 0.25% compared to other biochemical blood tests recorded. Among the 184 prescriptions requesting thyroid tests,117 files were retained. The mean age of the patients was 42.3 years, with a sex ratio of 0.18.
One hundred sixteen files included a request of TSH dosage; 28,21% included only a TSH dosage and 70.94% included a request of simultaneous TSH dosage with one of two thyroid hormones. One prescription (0.85%) asked for a thyroid hormones dosage only without preliminary TSH  dosage.
TSH ranged from <0.05 to 93.97µUI/mL. It was normal in 68.96%, reduced in 16.39% and increased in 14.65% of the dosages.
The number of thyroid hormone dosage in first-line in this study is important. Their prescription should be adapted to current recommendations in order to avoid the additional cost of unnecessary dosages for patients. 
 
Keywords: 
Antananarivo; Biochemistry; Prescription; Thyroid function tests
 
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