Abstract
Objective: We developed a new simple method of detecting overt thyroid dysfunction in patients using a set of routine tests and applied it in screening during the general health check-up called“Ningen Dock”to check its usefulness.
Methods: In the screening, a computer was used to evaluate the findings of routine tests based on recognition of common patterns in patients with confirmed thyroid dysfunction. The screening was applied to 2,379 Japanese people undergoing Ningen Dock at JR Sendai Hospital, inputting alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum creatinine (S-Cr), total cholesterol (TC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and red cell count (RBC) data into a personal computer.
Results: Based on a thyroid specialist’s consideration of computer evaluations together with additional data such as heart rate and body weight change, 51 persons (2.14%) were suspected of having thyroid dysfunction and recommended for further examination. Based on blood thyroid hormone measurements conducted when examinees consulted the thyroid specialist or during Ningen Dock, among 28 examinees, 6 were determined to have overt thyroid dysfunction and 1 subclinical thyroid dysfunction. None of these 7 people had complained of illness.
Conclusion: The usefulness of our new method for screening patients with latent thyroid dysfunction through the use of a set of routine tests conducted during a general health check-up without thyroid hormone measurement was confirmed. It would be useful for the general physician during hospital examinations or “Ningen Dock” and may contribute to improving patient QOL.
