Final answer:
Laboratory tests for a TSH secreting adenoma typically show elevated levels of TSH caused by the tumor in the anterior pituitary gland, and they can lead to increased T3 and T4 production and symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), produced by the anterior pituitary, is responsible for regulating the thyroid gland's production of the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). In the context of a TSH secreting adenoma, the laboratory tests would show elevated levels of TSH regardless of the thyroid hormones' levels. This is because the adenoma, a type of tumor, autonomously secretes TSH, which in turn stimulates the thyroid gland to produce more T3 and T4 hormones.
It's important to note that normally, TSH release is regulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus, forming a negative feedback loop to maintain hormone levels within a normal range. However, with a TSH secreting adenoma, this feedback loop is disrupted, often leading to symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as goiter and hyperglycemia. Proper diagnosis requires a comprehensive panel of blood tests to measure the levels of TSH, T3, T4, and possibly TRH, along with nuclear DNA assays and analyses for thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) or TSH-receptor antibodies.