Thyroid Gland Volume and Serum Concentrations of Thyroid Hormones in Chronic Renal Failure

Abstract

Thyroid gland volume, ultrasonically determined, and thyroid function were investigated in 40 patients with chronic renal failure (33 of these on hemodialysis) and 40 sex-, age- and weight-matched healthy controls. None had thyroid autoantibodies or a clinically detectable goiter. The median thyroid gland volume was significantly elevated in the uremic patients: 24 ml (range 8–43 ml) compared with the healthy controls 17 ml (range 10–22 ml) (p < 0.005). The serum concentrations of thyroxine (T₄), triiodothyronine (T₃), free thyroxine index (FT₄I) and free triiodothyronine index (FT₃I) were significantly decreased in uremic subjects compared with the controls. The serum concentration of thyrotropin did not differ significantly between patients and controls. None of the thyroid function variables correlated with thyroid gland volume. In conclusion, thyroid gland volume was increased in patients with chronic renal failure. The alterations in thyroid hormone concentrations could, however, not explain this finding.

Prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity and subclinical hypothyroidism in persons with chronic kidney disease not requiring chronic dialysis

“…These conditions lead to hemodynamic and vascular changes in the kidney, as well as to changes in the structure and function of the tubules and glomerulus (1). An increased prevalence of goiter and thyroid gland volume has been reported in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (2,3). It has been suggested that clinically overt hypothyroidism may be more common in patients with CKD compared with the general population (1).…”

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Hypothyroidism in a Population Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis

“…Increased prevalence of goiter and thyroid gland volume have been reported in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) [3,4] and there are also studies reporting increased prevalence of primary hypothyroidism among ESRD patients compared with the general population [5]. Thyroid hormone abnormalities have been reported among euthyroid patients with ESRD, including reduced total and free triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels [6].…”

Thyroid function in haemodialysis patients

“…Бројне студије су показале да ови болесници имају повећан волумен штитасте жлезде, повећану преваленцу струме и карцинома штитасте жлезде у односу на особе с нормалном бубрежном функцијом (10). У ХБИ су промењени и циркадијални ритам секреције TSH и TSH гликолизација, што може да угрози биоактивност TSH.…”