Impact of preprocessing on the results of thyroid function evaluations

Accuracy in thyroid hormone measurements has been a crucial step in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders. However, preanalytical factors such as choice of laboratory materials, diet, and sample preparation conditions have been found to significantly affect test results. Therefore, the present study has focused on analyzing the influence of these preanalytical factors on thyroid hormone tests, as well as the impact on diagnostic accuracy. In addition, establishing guidelines to optimize the quality of clinical results and improve the management of thyroid diseases. To achieve these purposes, aspects such as the selection of collection tubes, the quality of the reagents and the impact of the diet on the results have been evaluated. The findings indicated that tubes with separating gel and anticoagulants negatively affect TSH and FT4 measurements. While food intake before extraction significantly alters TSH and FT4 levels. Although equilibrium dialysis is accurate for measuring FT4, it has been influenced by adsorption on surfaces and storage conditions. In conclusion, observations have highlighted the need to standardize preanalytical procedures and use appropriate materials to improve the accuracy of hormonal testing. In conjunction with the implementation of guidelines based on practices and scientific evidence that optimize the quality of clinical results and improve the management of thyroid diseases