Masked CKD in hyperthyroidism and reversible CKD status in hypothyroidism

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Endocrinology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Thyroid dysfunction is known to influence kidney function.
• The impact of thyroid disorder treatment on chronic kidney disease (CKD) status and its influencing factors require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze changes in kidney function during treatment for hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
• To identify factors influencing these changes in kidney function.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective and longitudinal case series.
• Inclusion of 88 hyperthyroid and 52 hypothyroid patients.
• Analysis of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) changes and influencing factors post-treatment.

Main Results:

• Hyperthyroidism treatment led to a significant decrease in eGFR (-41.1 mL/min/1.73 m²), with sex, eGFR, FT4, and FT3 as independent variables.
• Hypothyroidism treatment resulted in an increase in eGFR (7.1 mL/min/1.73 m²), with age, eGFR, and FT3 as independent variables.
• Identified "masked" CKD in 4.5% of hyperthyroid patients and "reversible" CKD in 13.5% of hypothyroid patients.

Conclusions:

• Hyperthyroidism treatment can unmask CKD, necessitating post-treatment kidney function follow-up.
• Hypothyroidism treatment can reverse CKD, emphasizing routine thyroid function evaluation in CKD patients and appropriate hormone therapy.