AUTHOR=Alvarez-Payares Jose C. , Bello-Simanca Jesus David , De La Peña-Arrieta Edwin De Jesus , Agamez-Gomez Jose Emilio , Garcia-Rueda Jhon Edwar , Rodriguez-Arrieta Amilkar , Rodriguez-Arrieta Luis Antonio 

TITLE=Common Pitfalls in the Interpretation of Endocrine Tests

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.727628

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2021.727628

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=<p>Endocrine tests are the cornerstone of diagnosing multiple diseases that primary care physicians are frequently faced with. Some of these tests can be affected by situations that affect the proper interpretation, leading to incorrect diagnoses and unnecessary treatment, such as the interference of biotin with thyroid function test, falsely elevated prolactin values in presence of macroprolactinemia or falsely normal due to the “hook effect” in macroprolactinomas. Recognizing these situations is essential for the clinician to make an adequate interpretation of these tests as well as an accurate diagnosis that guarantees the best outcomes for the patient.</p>