Hyperthyroidism refers to a hyper functioning of the thyroid gland which increases the production of thyroid hormones because of thyrotoxicosis. Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrinopathy with multiple etiologies that can be its exploration requires a diagnostic approach consistent with the rational use of available biological means of exploration. Our aim was to determine the nature and prevalence of the principles underlying thyroid hormone demand in the investigation of clinically suspected or proven hyperthyroidism; to correlate the results of the hormonal exploration to the reasons. This study was carried out over a one-year period from April 2005 to April 2006. All requests for hormonal assays performed in the laboratory for hyperthyroidism, regardless of its etiology, were considered. thyrotoxicosis, or any other reason that may lead to the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. One thousand four hundred and sixty (1460) patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 1293 (89%) were sex ratio 7, 74. The average age was 39 years with extremes 1 and 78 years. The 21-45 age group was the most represented with 27 cases. The origin of the patients referred for hormonal dosages was from all the geographical areas of Senegal with a predominance of the Dakar region 93%; In Dakar the requests came mainly from CHU Abass NDAO, Dantec and FANN which recorded respectively: 41%; 19.7% and 7.8%. The most common hormonal dosage indication was control of antithyroid drug therapy (ADT). 596 cases (40.8%) followed by "balance sheet" and goiter with respectively 14.6% and 12.7%; TSHus was requested in 90% of patients, FT4 81% and FT3 41%. The TSHus demand combined with FT4 and FT3 was noted for diagnosis in 680 cases (46%) and for the control of ADT treatment in 170 cases (25%). The biological diagnoses were euthyroid 39%, hyperthyroidism 30.80%, hyperthyroidism frustrated 3.4%. A discrepancy in the biological assessment was noted in 25 cases (1.7%). From these results we find that a lot of demand is not justified. These preliminary results may be expanded by other studies in this direction. The diagnosis of right hyperthyroidism responds to a rigorous parsimony in the use of available means whose cost is a real limiting factor for the subject.

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