Thyroid Function Tests in Clinical Practice: Pitfalls and Pearls

This case-based presentation will provide a practical, clinically grounded approach to interpreting thyroid function tests in everyday practice. We will begin by reviewing key physiology and feedback mechanisms of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis to establish how each thyroid test reflects underlying hormone regulation. Through real patient cases, attendees will learn to interpret normal, unusual, and discordant thyroid function test patterns and distinguish true thyroid disease from common clinical conditions that lead to misleading results. The session will also highlight medications and supplements that interfere with thyroid lab values, as well as laboratory and assay-related pitfalls that frequently cause confusion. Participants will leave with clear, actionable strategies for evaluating abnormal thyroid tests and determining when further work-up or referral is warranted.

CME/CE Information

0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ or 0.50 AANP

Release Date: 5/8/2026

Expiration Date: 6/26/2026

Topics

Faculty

Ruchi Gaba, MD, FACE, FEAA

Learning Objectives

Discuss the physiology and feedback mechanisms of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis
Recognize clinical conditions that commonly lead to misleading thyroid function test results
Identify medications and supplements that interfere with thyroid function tests
Detect laboratory and assay-related pitfalls and apply practical strategies for accurate interpretation of abnormal thyroid results

Faculty

Ruchi Gaba, MD, FACE, FEAA

Associate Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas

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Disclosures

All individuals in control of content for this activity (including faculty, moderator, editors, reviewers) have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

CME/CE Information

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

Accreditation Statement

Pri-Med Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Statement

Pri-Med Institute designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AANP

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Accreditation Standards of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) through the joint providership of Pri-Med Institute and Baylor College of Medicine. Pri-Med Institute is accredited by the AANP as an approved provider of nurse practitioner continuing education. Provider Number 040308

Designation Statement

This activity is approved for 0.50 contact hour, which includes 0.125 hour of pharmacology.

Fine Print

Computer System Requirements

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Disclaimer

The opinions, ideas, and recommendations expressed in this educational activity are those of the faculty only and are not necessarily endorsed by, nor do they necessarily reflect, those of their affiliated institutions, Pri-Med Institute, Pri-Med Institute Advisory Boards and Consultants, DBC Pri-Med, LLC.

Clinical judgment must guide each clinician in weighing the possible risks, benefits, or contraindications of any diagnostics, interventions or treatments discussed. Clinicians should review manufacturers’ product information and consider these with the recommendations of other authorities when applying the assessment and/or clinical management strategies discussed in this activity to the care of their patients.

Statement of Independence

Pri-Med Institute educational activities are developed and conducted in accordance with the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. It is the mission of Pri-Med Institute to develop and present educational activities that are timely, fair-balanced, scientifically rigorous, and that serve to improve patient outcomes. To that end, we welcome your comments about how to better serve your needs.

Disclosure Policies and Contacting Pri-Med Institute

Pri-Med Institute Accredited Provider
Pri-Med programs are owned and operated by DBC Pri-Med, LLC, a division of Diversified Communications, Inc. Pri-Med Institute, the accredited division of Pri-Med, is accredited with commendation by the ACCME and approved as a provider of continuing education by the AANP.

Disclosures and Conflict of Interest
Pri-Med Institute requires all individuals in a position to influence educational content for Pri-Med Institute-certified CME/CE activities to disclose personal financial relationships with commercial interests or ineligible companies prior to contributing to its educational activities. Pri-Med Institute assesses disclosed relationships and follows a defined process to mitigate real or implied conflicts to ensure, to the best of its ability, that all educational content is free of commercial bias. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated Financial disclosures for everyone in control of educational content are provided before the start of each CME/CE activity.

Discussion of Off-Label Uses and Investigational Products
During the course of their presentations, the faculty may mention uses of products that have not been approved in the United States for the indication(s) being discussed. All presenters are instructed to notify participants when they are discussing unapproved uses or investigational agents. In addition, specific slides will include notation of the off-label use or investigational agent being discussed. Views presented related to unapproved uses of products are solely those of the presenter(s) and are not endorsed by Pri-Med Institute or DBC Pri-Med, LLC.

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