Serum levels of thyroid hormones in liver diseases

Abstract

Concentrations of thyroid hormones and thyrotropin (TSH) were measured in sera of clinically euthyroid patients with various liver diseases and compared with normal controls. The mean serum concentration of 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T 3, rT 3) was significantly increased in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis ( p < 0.01). This increase seemed to be dependent upon the hepatic damage, although it was not significant in patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis and compensated liver cirrhosis. The mean serum concentration of 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T 3) was significantly decreased in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis ( p < 0.05). However, in patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis and compensated liver cirrhosis, the mean concentration of T 3 was above the normal. The mean value of rT 3/T 3 ratios in patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis and compensated liver cirrhosis were similar to that of normal controls, but in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, the mean value of rT 3/T 3 ratios was markedly higher than that of normal controls. The rT 3/T 3 ratios have little or no correlation with some standard liver function tests. These results suggest that marked alterations of peripheral conversion of thyroxine (T 4) to rT 3 or T 3 may be found only in a state of decompensated liver cirrhosis among the various liver diseases.