[Thyrotropic and thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) content in Horton' s headache patients]

In 18 men with Horton's headaches the levels of the following hormones were determined in the serum: TSH, T3 and T4. The determinations were performed during disease relapse and before starting treatment. The control group included 18 blood donors. In the control group the mean TSH level was 3.97 +/- 0.88 microunits/ml, T4 level was 109.06 +/- 26.88 nmol/l, and T3 1.48 +/- 0.14 nmol/l. In the group of patients the mean values were: 2.58 +/- 2.09 microunits/ml, 97.62 +/- 21.81 nmol/l, 1.07 +/- 0.21 nmol/l respectively. The analysis of the results showed statistically significant differences in the concentrations of T3 between the compared groups. In the light of these results the authors believe that there is not sufficient support of the hypothesis on a hypothalamic pathogenesis of the disease. The causes of reduced T3 concentration in these patients are discussed.