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Endocrinology Short Notes

Falsely Elevated TSH

Peer reviewed Updated
Cite this article
AMA
MD A.. Falsely Elevated TSH. My Endo Consult. Published April 15, 2021. Accessed October 10, 2026. https://myendoconsult.com/learn/falsely-elevated-tsh/
APA
MD A. (2021). Falsely Elevated TSH. My Endo Consult. https://myendoconsult.com/learn/falsely-elevated-tsh/
Vancouver
MD A.. Falsely Elevated TSH [Internet]. My Endo Consult; April 15, 2021 [cited October 10, 2026]. Available from: https://myendoconsult.com/learn/falsely-elevated-tsh/
BibTeX
@online{myendoconsult1792993,
  author = {Akuffo Quarde, MD},
  title  = {Falsely Elevated TSH},
  organization = {My Endo Consult},
  year   = {2021},
  url    = {https://myendoconsult.com/learn/falsely-elevated-tsh/},
  urldate = {October 10, 2026}
}

Can TSH be falsely elevated? Thyroid function tests (immunoassays) are subject to errors. As such, when there is a disagreement between clinical and biochemical assessment of a patient’s thyroid status, a laboratory error should be considered. It is worthy to note that some immunoassays use a biotin-steptavidin signaling system. Thus patients on supraphysiological doses of biotin (upwards of 10mg daily instead of the physiological dose range of 30-100mcg) are likely to present with discordant laboratory and clinical features.

Causes of falsely elevated TSH

  • Macro TSH
  • Anti-animal antibodies
  • Heterophilic antibodies

Falsely elevated free T4

  • Nonesterified free fatty acids
  • Heterophilic antibodies
  • Iodothyronine antibodies

References

Favresse J, Burlacu MC, Maiter D, Gruson D. Interferences With Thyroid Function Immunoassays: Clinical Implications and Detection Algorithm. Endocr Rev. 2018 Oct 1;39(5):830-850.

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