scholarly journals The spectrum of thyroid function tests during hospitalization for SARS COV-2 infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 184 (5) ◽  
pp. 699-709
Author(s):  
Irene Campi ◽  
Ilaria Bulgarelli ◽  
Antonella Dubini ◽  
Giovanni Battista Perego ◽  
Elena Tortorici ◽  
...  

Objective Alterations in thyroid function tests (TFTs) have been recorded during SARS-CoV-2 infection as associated to either a destructive thyroiditis or a non-thyroidal illness. Methods We studied 144 consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to a single center in intensive or subintensive care units. Those with previous thyroid dysfunctions or taking interfering drugs were excluded. Differently from previous reports, TSH, FT3, FT4, thyroglobulin (Tg), anti-Tg autoantibodies (TgAb) were measured at baseline and every 3–7 days. C-reacting protein (CRP), cortisol and IL-6 were also assayed. Results The majority of patients had a normal TSH at admission, usually with normal FT4 and FT3. Low TSH levels were found either at admission or during hospitalization in 39% of patients, associated with low FT3 in half of the cases. FT4 and Tg levels were normal, and TgAb-negative. TSH and FT3 were invariably restored at the time of discharge in survivors, whereas were permanently low in most deceased cases, but only FT3 levels were predictors of mortality. Cortisol, CRP and IL-6 levels were higher in patients with low TSH and FT3 levels. Conclusions Almost half of our COVID-19 patients without interfering drugs had normal TFTs both at admission and during follow-up. In this series, the transient finding of low TSH with normal FT4 and low FT3 levels, inversely correlated with CRP, cortisol and IL-6 and associated with normal Tg levels, is likely due to the cytokine storm induced by SARS-Cov-2 with a direct or mediated impact on TSH secretion and deiodinase activity, and likely not to a destructive thyroiditis.

2021 ◽  
pp. 73-76
Author(s):  
Vasudev Sankhla ◽  
Aman Deep

Thyroid function tests are one of the most common endocrine panels in general practice because a good understanding of when to order them, indications for treatment are important for the optimal treatment of thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) should be the rst test to be performed on any patient with suspected thyroid dysfunction and in follow-up of individuals on treatment. It is useful as a rst-line test because even small changes in thyroid function are sufcient to cause a signicant increase in TSH secretion. Thyroxine levels may be assessed in a patient with hyperthyroidism, to determine the severity of hyperthyroxinemia. Antithyroid peroxidase measurements should be considered while evaluating patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and can facilitate the identication of autoimmune thyroiditis during the evaluation of nodular thyroid disease. The measurement of TSH receptor antibody must be considered when conrmation of Graves’ disease is needed and radioactive iodine uptake cannot be done.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 56-59
Author(s):  
Emre Hoca ◽  
Hayriye Esra Ataoğlu ◽  
Süleyman Ahbab

Introduction: Non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) can be defined as afunctional impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis accompanied by signs of non-thyroidal disease with changes in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3 (fT3) and free T4 (fT4) levels. NTIS and thyroid hormone levels in this syndrome are thought to be related with mortality. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between hormone levels and mortality in this syndrome. Methods: The 5-year mortality data of patients who were hospitalized in the first 6 months of 2014 and whose thyroid hormone levels could be checked twice within 5 years were evaluated. In our study conducted with 405 patients whose thyroid function tests was repeated, the follow-up period was 5 years. Biochemical parameters including thyroid function tests were sent from all patients. NTIS was defined as a condition in patients with low fT3 levels (<2.5 pg/mL) and TSH levels within the normal range (0.38-5.33 mIU / L). Results: 128 patients died, and the number of surviving patients was 277 during the follow-up period. Positive acute phase reactants such as CRP, sedimentation, ferritin was high and albumin (negative acute phase reactant) and fT3 levels were low in patients who died. In addition, these changes in biochemical values were statistically significant. The mortality rate was increased in patients with low fT3 and high fT4 levels. In the follow-up period, changes in TSH levels were not significantly associated with mortality. Conclusion: Both the decrease in fT3 levels and the increase in fT4 levels can be used as predictors and independent risk factors for long-term mortality risk in chronically ill and hospitalized patients with NTIS.


Author(s):  
E J Lamb ◽  
J Martin

It is claimed that inappropriate requesting of thyroid function tests (TFTs) is common in acutely ill patients. Consecutive inpatient TFTs ( n=129) were assessed in relation to clinical history and common symptoms and signs of thyroid disease. Requests were justified in 69% of cases, most commonly on the basis of atrial fibrillation and/or tachycardia. There were no clear reasons for requesting TFTs in the remaining cases, although the yield of abnormal results in these patients was similar to that in those with justified requests. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration was increased (median 7·5 mU/L, range 4·8-38·6 mU/L) in 22 patients, six of whom had biochemical and/or clinical evidence of hypothyroidism (previously undiagnosed) and five of whom had pre-existing hypothyroidism. Of the remaining 11 patients with increased TSH levels, three were confirmed to have compensated hypothyroidism; non-thyroidal illness (NTI) (including the effect of drugs) accounted for four cases. In four patients (one of whom died during the admission) follow-up was not possible. Of six patients with reduced TSH concentration (range < 0·05-0·35 mU/L), one was thyrotoxic on carbimazole, one was receiving thyroxine for hypothyroidism, one had NTI and three were lost to follow-up (two of whom died during their admission). Manifestations of thyroid disease are protean and often subtle, and TFTs are thus clinically justified in many unwell inpatients. Although NTI contributes to some cases of abnormal TSH levels, a significant number of TFT abnormalities are consistent with underlying thyroid abnormality requiring investigation/treatment.


1973 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. O. Abiodun ◽  
R. Bird ◽  
C. W. H. Havard ◽  
N. K. Sood

ABSTRACT It is known that phenylbutazone suppresses the thyroidal uptake of radioactive iodine and the serum level of protein-bound iodine (PBI) during the first week of treatment, with a return to normal values after 2 weeks of continuous treatment. Up till now the initial suppression of thyroid function has been presumed due to inhibition of TSH secretion. In the present study, total serum thyroxine and percentage dialysable thyroxine have been measured and the serum absolute free thyroxine concentration calculated in 12 patients before starting treatment with phenylbutazone orally, after 4 days of treatment and again after 14 days. Serum TSH was assayed in 10 of these patients before, and on the 4th day of treatment. Sera were assayed for TSH after 14 days on the drug in 6 patients. On the 4th day of treatment, the levels of total thyroxine had fallen but the levels of free thyroxine remained unchanged. TSH levels were also unaltered. By the 14th day of treatment, free thyroxine levels had fallen significantly below pre-treatment values but no significant rise in TSH could be demonstrated in the 6 patients studied. At no time was there a fall in TSH levels and we conclude that suppression of some thyroid function tests during the first week of treatment with phenylbutazone is due to direct inhibition of the gland by the drug.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P McEvoy ◽  
Anthony O’Riordan ◽  
Mark J Hannon

Abstract The population attending the Medical Assessment Unit at our hospital comprises patients attending electively for investigation and acutely unwell patients presenting for unscheduled care. The standard panel of blood tests taken on arrival includes thyroid function tests (TFTs, i.e. TSH and free-T4), despite a recent review questioning the clinical utility of this practice [1]. We performed a retrospective audit to determine what proportion of our patients had abnormal thyroid function on presentation, and whether these abnormal test results were being followed up. Using the iSoft Clinical Manager software, a list was generated of all patients who attended the hospital between January 2018 and June 2018 inclusive. For each attendance, we recorded the date, medical record number, patient age, gender, and TFT result. Abnormal TFT results were classified as overt or subclinical hyper- or hypothyroid, or non-thyroid illness syndrome (NTIS), based on their admission TSH and free-T4. We then examined the hospital and primary care records of patients with abnormal TFTs to determine if they had ongoing thyroid follow up post discharge. In total, 2,298 patients attended over the 6-month study period. The mean patient age was 67.2 years, and 49% were female. Thyroid function tests were ordered on the day of attendance for 1,688 patients (73%). Of these, 181 results (11%) were abnormal: 20 overt hyperthyroid (11%), 72 subclinical hyperthyroid (40%), 12 overt hypothyroid (7%), 35 subclinical hypothyroid (19%), and 42 NTIS (23%). Twenty of these patients died within 3 months of the abnormal TFT result (4 overt hyperthyroid, 3 subclinical hyperthyroid, 3 overt hypothyroid, 6 subclinical hypothyroid, and 4 NTIS). Of the remaining 161 patients, 74 (46%) had not been followed up within 3 months (4 overt hyperthyroid, 34 subclinical hyperthyroid, 3 overt hypothyroid, 15 subclinical hypothyroid, and 18 NTIS). The low percentage of abnormal TFTs (11%) in this audit is in keeping with similar studies where thyroid function testing was performed on unselected hospital populations [1]. Subclinical hyperthyroidism was by far the most common abnormality found. A high percentage of abnormal tests (46%) were not followed up, with poor compliance with thyroid management guidelines [2]. Future work will investigate adoption of an ‘opt-in’ order system [3] and electronic alerts to flag abnormal results for follow-up. [1] Premawardhana LD. Thyroid testing in acutely ill patients may be an expensive distraction. Biochemia medica. 2017; 27(2): 300-307. [2] Ross DS et al. 2016 American Thyroid Association Guidelines for diagnosis and management of hyperthyroidism and other causes of thyrotoxicosis. Thyroid. 2016 Oct; 26(10):1343-1421. [3] Leis B et al. Altering standard admission order sets to promote clinical laboratory stewardship: a cohort quality improvement study. BMJ Qual Saf. 2019; 28(10): 846-52.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A846-A847
Author(s):  
Bernard Chong Eu Khoo ◽  
Tricia Tan ◽  
Edouard Mills ◽  
Sophie A Clarke ◽  
Bijal Patel ◽  
...  

Abstract Context: The effects of COVID-19 on the thyroid axis remain uncertain. Recent evidence has been conflicting, with both thyrotoxicosis and suppression of thyroid function reported. Objective: We aimed to detail the acute effects of COVID-19 on thyroid function and determine if these effects persisted upon recovery from COVID-19. Design: Cohort observational study. Participants and Setting: Adult patients admitted to Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, London, UK with suspected COVID-19 between March 9 to April 22, 2020 were included, excluding those with pre-existing thyroid disease and those missing either free thyroxine (FT4) or TSH measurements. Of 456 patients, 334 had COVID-19 and 122 did not. Main Outcome Measures: TSH and FT4 measurements at admission, and where available, those taken in 2019 and at COVID-19 follow-up. Results: Most patients (86·6%) presenting with COVID-19 were euthyroid, with none presenting with overt thyrotoxicosis. Patients with COVID-19 had a lower admission TSH and FT4 compared to those without COVID-19. In the COVID-19 patients with matching baseline thyroid function tests from 2019 (n=185 for TSH and 104 for FT4), both TSH and FT4 were reduced at admission compared to baseline. In a complete cases analysis of COVID-19 patients with TSH measurements at follow-up, admission and baseline (n=55), TSH was seen to recover to baseline at follow-up. Conclusions: Most patients with COVID-19 present with euthyroidism. We observed mild reductions in TSH and FT4 in keeping with a non-thyroidal illness syndrome. Furthermore, in survivors of COVID-19, thyroid function tests at follow-up returned to baseline.


Author(s):  
Bernard Khoo ◽  
Tricia Tan ◽  
Sophie A Clarke ◽  
Edouard G Mills ◽  
Bijal Patel ◽  
...  

Abstract Context The effects of COVID-19 on the thyroid axis remain uncertain. Recent evidence has been conflicting, with both thyrotoxicosis and suppression of thyroid function reported. Objective We aimed to detail the acute effects of COVID-19 on thyroid function and determine if these effects persisted on recovery from COVID-19. Design A cohort observational study was conducted. Participants and Setting Adult patients admitted to Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, London, UK, with suspected COVID-19 between March 9 to April 22, 2020, were included, excluding those with preexisting thyroid disease and those missing either free thyroxine (FT4) or thyrotropin (TSH) measurements. Of 456 patients, 334 had COVID-19 and 122 did not. Main Outcome Measures TSH and FT4 measurements were recorded at admission, and where available, in 2019 and at COVID-19 follow-up. Results Most patients (86.6%) presenting with COVID-19 were euthyroid, with none presenting with overt thyrotoxicosis. Patients with COVID-19 had a lower admission TSH and FT4 compared to those without COVID-19. In the COVID-19 patients with matching baseline thyroid function tests from 2019 (n = 185 for TSH and 104 for FT4), TSH and FT4 both were reduced at admission compared to baseline. In a complete case analysis of COVID-19 patients with TSH measurements at follow-up, admission, and baseline (n = 55), TSH was seen to recover to baseline at follow-up. Conclusions Most patients with COVID-19 present with euthyroidism. We observed mild reductions in TSH and FT4 in keeping with a nonthyroidal illness syndrome. Furthermore, in survivors of COVID-19, thyroid function tests at follow-up returned to baseline.


2017 ◽  
Vol 177 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stan Benjamens ◽  
Robin P F Dullaart ◽  
Wim J Sluiter ◽  
Michiel Rienstra ◽  
Isabelle C van Gelder ◽  
...  

Objective Amiodarone is used for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with arrhythmias, but thyroid dysfunction (amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) or amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism (AIH)) is a common adverse effect. As the onset of AIT and AIH may be unpredictable, the value of long-term regular monitoring of amiodarone treated patients for thyroid dysfunction is still uncertain. Design We retrospectively documented the frequency at which overt thyroid dysfunction was preceded by subclinical thyroid dysfunction. Methods We included 303 patients treated with amiodarone between 1984 and 2007. AIT was defined as a lowered TSH level with an elevated free thyroxine (FT4) and AIH was defined as an elevated TSH level with a decreased or subnormal FT4. Subclinical AIT was defined as a lowered TSH level with a normal FT4 and subclinical AIH as an elevated TSH level with a normal FT4. Results 200 men and 103 women, aged 62 ± 12.0 years, suffering from atrial (260) or ventricular (43) arrhythmias, were evaluated. During a median follow-up of 2.8 (1.0–25) years, 44 patients developed AIT and 33 AIH. In 42 (55%) patients who developed AIT/AIH, earlier thyroid function tests showed no subclinical AIT or subclinical AIH. In 35 (45%) patients, AIT/AIH was preceded by subclinical AIT or subclinical AIH (16/44 for AIT and 19/33 for AIH). Conclusions In a considerable proportion of patients who developed AIT/AIH, earlier thyroid function tests showed no subclinical AIT/AIH. Less than half of the patients with a subclinical event subsequently developed overt AIT/AIH. This study provides data to reconsider the yield of regular testing of thyroid function to predict overt thyroid dysfunction in amiodarone treated patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasser K. Rashed ◽  
Fatma A. Khalaf ◽  
Sobhy E. Kotb

Background: Immunomodulatory properties of interferon (IFN) have been documented. It may induce autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune thyroiditis with hypo- or hyperthyroidism. In addition, it may impair thyroid hormone synthesis through affecting iodide organification in thyroid gland.Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe thyroid function tests disturbances in children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) receiving pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG IFN-α) plus ribavirin.Methods: Fifty children with CHC virus infection who received combined pegylated interferon-alpha with ribavirin were selected. Other 50 apparently healthy children of matched age and sex (considered as control group) were selected. All children (100) were subject to liver function tests, virological studies, and follow-up of thyroid function test during and after the treatment course.Results: Our study showed that 28% of children received combined PEG IFN-α plus ribavirin showed subclinical hypothyroidism. After 24 weeks treatment with combined therapy of IFN plus ribavirin, the mean level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was 3.23±88 mU/mL, while TSH was 1.16± 0.77 mU/mL before starting treatment. On the other hand, mean TSH was 1.09±0.92 mU/mL in normal control group.Conclusion: This study revealed an association between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and treatment with IFN-alpha and ribavirin in children. Further studies on larger number of patients and longer follow-up duration are recommended for further confirmation.


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