Thyroid function
LASA filenames: LASAC865
Contact: Natasja van Schoor
Background
Thyroid diseases, such as goiter and functional disturbances including Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are very common in the population. Hyperthyroidism (increased production of thyroid hormone) can lead to osteoporosis and may aggravate cardiovascular disease. Hyperthyroidism is associated with weight loss, sweating, nervousness and emotional disturbances. Hyperthyroidism (decreased function of the thyroid gland) also is quite common especially in older persons. It is associated with weight gain, slow speech, low body temperature and obstipation. It also may lead to cardiovascular disease. This document describes the measurement of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) made in the pituitary, thyroxin (T4) and tri-jodothyronin (T3), the two thyroidhormones.
Measurements in LASA
Blood collection
Morning blood samples were collected in 1995 en 1996. Subjects were allowed to eat toast and drink tea but no dairy products.
Measurement procedure & variable information
Thyroid hormones were measured in frozen serum samples in 2001. In all persons TSH was measured. When TSH was < 0.3 mU/l or > 4.5 mU/l then thyroxin (T4) was measured. When T4 was normal, then T3 was measured. TSH was measured by radio-immunometric assay (Centaur, Bayer Diagnostics, Mijdrecht) with an interassay CV of 6%; free T4 was measured by a competitive immunoassay (Centaur, Bayer Diagnostics, Mijdrecht) with an interassay CV of 7%; free T3 was also measured by a competitive immunoassay.
Availability of data per wave
Number of respondents in wave C:
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): 1270
Thyroxin (T4): 141
Thyronine (T3): 49
Previous use in LASA
- De Jongh, R.T., Lips, P.T.A., Van Schoor , N.M., Rijs, K.J., Deeg, D.J.H., Comijs, H.C., Kramer, M.H.H., Vandenbroucke, J.P., Dekkers, O.M. (2011). Endogenous subclinical thyroid disorders, physical and cognitive function, depression, and mortality in older individuals. European Journal of Endocrinology, 165, 545-554.
- Heima, N.E., Eekhoff, E.M.W., Oosterwerff, M.M., Lips, P.T.A., Van Schoor , N.M., Simsek, S. (2012). Thyroid function and the metabolic syndrome in older persons: a population-based study. European Journal of Endocrinology, 168, 1, 59-65.
- Schindhelm, R.K., Ten Boekel, E., Heima, N.E., Van Schoor , N.M., Simsek, S. (2013). Thyroid hormones and erythrocyte indices in a cohort of euthyroid older subjects. European Journal of Internal Medicine, 24 (3), 241-244.
Date of last update: April 4, 2020
