Why Do Hormone Tests Need Clinical Interpretation?
Answers to common questions about why do hormone tests need clinical interpretation?.
Endocrine hormones are highly interconnected.
For example:
- TSH + FT4 → thyroid function
- Calcium + PTH + vitamin D + kidney function → calcium/parathyroid assessment
- Cortisol + ACTH + dynamic testing → adrenal evaluation
- Testosterone + SHBG + LH + FSH → evaluation of male hypogonadism
- Prolactin + thyroid function + medications → evaluation of hyperprolactinaemia
A single abnormal number should therefore not automatically be labelled as a disease.