Question

The nurse practitioner would expect which of the following laboratory findings in a patient with subclinical hypothyroidism?

a. Elevated TSH, normal T3 and T4
b. Elevated TSH, low T3 and T4
c. Elevated TSH, normal T3 and low T4
d. Elevated TSH, high T3 and T4

Answer 1

In subclinical hypothyroidism, a nurse practitioner would expect to see elevated TSH levels but normal T3 and T4 levels, indicating early thyroid underperformance.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse practitioner would expect which of the following laboratory findings in a patient with subclinical hypothyroidism? In the case of subclinical hypothyroidism, the typical laboratory findings would include an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level with normal levels of thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Therefore, the correct answer would be a. Elevated TSH, normal T3 and T4. This pattern indicates that the thyroid is starting to underperform, but it is still able to maintain normal hormone levels due to the increased stimulation from TSH.