Authors: Nakajima, T.¹; Suzuki, T.¹; Ando, S.²; Genma, R.²; Nakamura, H.²; Hishida, A.¹; Yonemura, K.

Source: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, Volume 15, Number 5, May 2000 , pp. 668-672(5)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

Background. There is little information on the differences in pituitary–thyroid function between undialysed and haemodialysed patients.

Methods. Serum concentrations of free thyroxine (T₄) and free triiodothyronine (T₃), measured by enhanced chemiluminescence immunoassay, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were compared in undialysed (n=22) and haemodialysed patients (n=85). The response of the serum TSH concentration to exogenously administered thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and circadian variation in serum TSH were also studied in the two groups.

Results. Serum free T₄ concentration was significantly lower in haemodialysed than in undialysed patients (1.02±0.02 vs 1.33±0.06 ng/dl, P<0.0001). Serum concentrations of free T₃ and TSH were essentially the same for the two groups. The response of serum TSH concentration to TRH was basically the same. Serum TSH concentration in undialysed patients during the night and in the morning were 142.4±15.4% and 121.7±4.1% of that during the day, the differences being significantly different. A nocturnal surge of TSH was not observed in haemodialysed patients.

Conclusions. Low serum free T₄ concentration and a deficient nocturnal surge of TSH were found in haemodialysed patients compared with undialysed patients. The deficient nocturnal surge of TSH may contribute to the lower serum free T₄ concentration in haemodialysed patients.

Keywords: chronic renal failure; haemodialysis; thyroid horm

Document Type: Original article

Affiliations: 1: First Department of Medicine and 2: Second Department of Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan

Publication date: 2000-05-01

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• Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation is one of the world's leading journals devoted to original clinical and laboratory research in nephrology, dialysis and transplantation. Published monthly, the journal provides an essential resource for researchers and clinicians throughout the world.

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