Laboratory Policies and Practices for Thyroid Function Tests in Croatia: Survey on Behalf of Working Group for Laboratory Endocrinology of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine

Overview

Journal Biochem Med (Zagreb)

Specialty Biochemistry

Date 2022 Aug 15

PMID 35966262

Authors

Adriana Bokulic

Ivana Zec

Sanja Goreta

Nora Nikolac Gabaj

Marija Kocijancic

Tihana Serdar Hirsl

Anamarija duras

Mateja Troha

Lada Stanisic

Daniela Supe-Domic

Sanda Jelisavac Cosic

Koraljka duric

Domagoj Marijancevic

Marija Siter Kupresanin

Iva Lukic

Alenka Pezo

Jasna Lenicek Krleza

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Laboratory plays important part in screening, diagnosis, and management of thyroid disorders. The aim of this study was to estimate current laboratory preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical practices and policies in Croatia.

Materials And Methods: Working Group for Laboratory Endocrinology of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine designed a questionnaire with 27 questions and statements regarding practices and protocols in measuring thyroid function tests. The survey was sent to 111 medical biochemistry laboratories participating in external quality assurance scheme for thyroid hormones organized by Croatian Centre for Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine. Data is presented as absolute numbers and proportions.

Results: Fifty-three participants returned the questionnaire. Response rate varied depending on question, yielding a total survey response rate of 46-48%. All respondents perform thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). From all other thyroid tests, most performed is free thyroxine (37/53) and least TSH-stimulating immunoglobulin (1/53). Laboratories are using nine different immunoassay methods. One tenth of laboratories is verifying manufacturer's declared limit of quantification for TSH and one third is verifying implemented reference intervals for all performed tests. Most of laboratories (91%) adopt the manufacturer's reference interval for adult population. Reference intervals for TSH are reported with different percentiles (90, 95 or 99 percentiles).

Conclusion: This survey showed current practices and policies in Croatian laboratories regarding thyroid testing. The results identified some critical spots and will serve as a foundation in creating national guidelines in order to harmonize laboratory procedures in thyroid testing in Croatia.

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