[Changes in thyroid hormone metabolism in subjects with liver cirrhosis]

The behaviour of the serum levels of thyroxine (T4), 3,5,3' tri-iodothyronine (T3), TSH and of the free binding sites of the thyroid hormones binding globulins in 23 patients affected by hepatic cirrhosis, is described in function of the severity of the disease. The values obtained have been statistically compared to those of a group of 14 healthy subjects. A decrease of the serum levels of T3 directly related to the severity of the disease has been remarked in the cirrhotic patients, while no significant differences in the serum levels of T4 and TSH and in the number of free binding sites on the thyroid hormones binding globulins have been noted between the two groups.