Which laboratory result is most likely to be identified upon further evaluation of this patient?

Low levels of free thyroxin (t4) associated with elevated levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (tsh)-this patient has x-ray evidence of a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (scfe). this disorder is most common during the time of growth spurts in young adolescents in girls 11-13 years of age and boys 12-14 years of age. the frequency of scfe is still greater among overweight adolescents, especially african-american males. the majority of cases of scfe present with a several weeks-to-months history of chronic knee, hip , or thigh pain associated with a limp and mild to moderate antalgic gait. however, scfe may also occur acutely following trauma or during a sporting event, especially when associated with a twisting injury. prompt evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon is recommended in patients with both a stable (able to bear weight) or unstable (unable to bear weight) scfe. the goal of surgery is to prevent further slippage by screw fixation of the epiphysis. at presentation, both hips may be affected in 20-50% of cases. further more, in unilateral cases of scfe, the contralateral hip should be closely observed for 18-24 months, because patients are at increased risk of contralateral scfe during this period to time. this patient in the questions is prepubertal and not in the usual age group at risk for scfe. such patients should be evaluated for hypothyroidism because this disorder may be associated with an increased risk of scfe in an age group otherwise not at risk for this type of pathology. hip disorders in younger, prepubertal children are usually the result of an avascular necrosis (legg-calve-perthes disease).board testing point: recognize the signs and symptoms of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (scfe) and identify the laboratory abnormality most likely to be identified upon further evaluation, especially with a patient who is younger than most with this disorder.