Pseudo Elevation of TSH and ACTH Caused by Heterophilic Antibodies: a Case Report and Literature Review.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: TSH and ACTH are crucial hormones for diagnosing thyroid and adrenal diseases, and incorrect test reports can cause significant harm to patients. METHODS: The TSH and ACTH levels on the testing system of our laboratory were measured using "sandwich" assays. The patient had heterophilic antibodies in their body, causing a false increase in TSH and ACTH levels. RESULTS: TSH on the Abbott platform was 59.7 µIU/mL and on the Roche platform it was 4.33 µIU/mL. After pretreatment with HBR it was 3.95 µIU/mL; ACTH on the SIEMENS platform was 263.5 pg/mL, on the Abbott platform it was 47.6 pg/mL. After pretreatment with HBR it was 36.5 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The patient's serum contains heterophilic antibodies, which interfere with the TSH and ACTH tested by this method.