Serum thyroid hormone levels in liver cirrhosis

Levels of thyroid hormones, serum thyroxine, triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyrotropin (TSH) were measured in 55 patients with liver cirrhosis using radioimmunoassay techniques. Results were compared with 78 controls. The mean serum concentration of T3, FT3 and FT4 were significantly decreased in cirrhotics, while no significant change was noted in serum T4 and TSH levels. T3/T4 ratio was also lower than the normal. This indicates an impaired liver conversion of T4 to T3 in peripheral tissues. Serum T3 and FT3 showed an inverse correlation with serum bilirubin and a positive correlation with serum albumin. T3, FT3 and T3/T4 ratios were significantly low in patients who had ascites as compared to those who had no ascites. This study confirms the presence of abnormalities in serum thyroid hormone levels in cirrhosis of liver. Alteration in serum T3 and FT3 levels correlate well with the disease severity and may be useful in assessing the course and prognosis in cirrhotic patients.