[Disorders of thyroid function as a consequence of severe craniocerebral injury]

In 32 patients with acute severe head trauma (SHT) the venous plasma levels of thyroid and thyrotrophic (TTH) hormones were studied and the functional state of the hypothalamus-hypophysis-thyroid system assessed. TTH hypersecretion and steady thyroid hypofunction are regular responses of the thyroid endocrine complex to SHT. Pathogenic mechanisms of the adenohypophyseal and thyroid dysfunctions in acute SHT are discussed and the need in their correction suggested.