Renal artery resistance index, thyroid hormones, and thyroid volume in the early kidney transplants recipients

Thyroid hormones could affect renal function, and, on the other hand, renal dysfunction may affect thyroid function. Disturbances of concentrations of thyroid hormones are often associated with thyroid gland enlargement. The aim of the study was to assess the function and morphology of the thyroid (volume and hormones concentration) and kidney function after transplantation (creatinine concentration and resistance index [RI] of transplant artery).

The group included 13 females, 19 males; aged 19-69 years, mean 44.75 +/- 14.8 years after transplantation with stable graft function. Thyroid volume, renal artery RI, creatinine concentration, and concentrations of T3, rT3, FT3, FT4, and TSH were estimated the day before surgery, and at 1, 3, 6, and 10 days after transplantation.

The statistical analysis revealed a negative correlation between delta RI (difference between RI at 3 and 6 days after transplantation) and serum creatinine concentration, 10 days after transplantation (r = -0.63; P < 0.01). We also observed a negative correlation between creatinine serum concentration at 10 days after transplantation and delta thyroid volume (Delta Vol; r = - 0.48; p < .05), a positive correlation between delta FT4 (Delta FT4) serum concentration, and delta creatinine (Delta Crea; r = 0.73; P < .001).

The dynamics of RI changes in the transplant kidney artery between 3 and 6 days after transplantation may predict graft function. Together with improved kidney function at 10 days after transplantation, we observed a regression of goiter.