Answer
Low serum levels of thyroid hormone and symptoms (SS) of hypothyroidism may be due to an abnormally functioning thyroid gland or abnormally low levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) coming from the anterior pituitary(AP). The test to separate these two pathological conditions is to give the patient an injection of TSH. If this results in secretion of normal levels of thyroid hormones, this means the thyroid gland is functioning normally and the pathology is a dysfunctional AP that is not secreting normal amounts of TSH. If the thyroid gland was dysfunctionl or damaged, it could not secrete normal levels of thyroid hormones in reponse to TSH stimulation.
Work Step by Step
Diagnosis : Amanda has a malfunctioning anterior pituitary gland.
