Hypothyroidism: Likelihood Ratios

Introduction: None written.

The likelihood ratios of findings for Hypothyroidism are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Pre-Test Probability (Prevalence): %.	Post-Test Probability (Predictive Value): %.	Switch to display mode.
Note that calculating probabilities from more than one** finding is inherently inaccurate because findings are not independent. (For example, using two positive findings that share a common pathogenesis is likely to overestimate the true probability.)

Poorly Diagnostic Findings
Finding	Result	+LR	-LR
[ + ] Cold Intolerance	+ 0 -	1.8	0.6
Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480
[ + ] Bradycardia	+ 0 -	1	1
Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480
[ + ] Peripheral Edema	+ 0 -	1.1	0.7
specifically pre-tibial Study: J Postgrad Med. 2004 Jan-Mar;50(1):7-11. PMID: 15047991

Findings With Unspecified Accuracy
Finding	Result	+LR	-LR
[ + ] TSH		No accuracy specified.
Study: no study specified.

Good Positive and Negative Likelihood Ratios
Finding	Result	+LR	-LR
[ + ] TSH	+ 0 -	13.1	0.1
exact sens / spec depends on the particular TSH assay used Study: Arch Intern Med 1989 Mar;149(3):526-32. PMID 2493228
[ + ] Free T4	+ 0 -	13.7	0.2
estimated Study: Arch Intern Med 1989 Mar;149(3):526-32. PMID 2493228
[ + ] Achilles Reflex	+ 0 -	12.8	0.2
delayed relaxation time Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480
[ + ] Free T4	+ 0 -	11.1	0.2
calculated Study: Arch Intern Med 1989 Mar;149(3):526-32. PMID 2493228
[ + ] Free T3	+ 0 -	7.2	0.2
Study: Arch Intern Med 1989 Mar;149(3):526-32. PMID 2493228
[ + ] Periorbital Puffiness	+ 0 -	15	0.4
obscuring the curve of the malar bone. Note that another study [PMID: 15047991] gave sens = 92% / spec = 21%. Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480
[ + ] Dry Skin	+ 0 -	2.1	0.4
Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480
[ + ] Decreased Sweating	+ 0 -	3.9	0.5
Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480
[ + ] Coarse Skin	+ 0 -	3.2	0.5
Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480

Good Positive Likelihood Ratio
Finding	Result	+LR	-LR
[ + ] Slow Movements	+ 0 -	36	0.6
Note that another study [PMID: 15047991] gave sens = 87%, spec = 13%. Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480
[ + ] Hearing Loss	+ 0 -	11	0.8
progressive Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480
[ + ] Constipation	+ 0 -	3.2	0.6
Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480
[ + ] Paresthesias	+ 0 -	3.1	0.6
Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480
[ + ] Hoarseness	+ 0 -	2.8	0.8
Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480
[ + ] Cold Skin	+ 0 -	2.5	0.6
Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480
[ + ] Weight Gain	+ 0 -	2.3	0.6
or tightness of clothes Study: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Mar;82(3):771-6. PMID: 9062480