[Thyrotoxicosis with low T3 and high reverse T3 levels. 9 cases (author's transl)]

In common forms of hyperthyroidism serum levels of triiodothyronin (T3) are higher than those of thyroxin (T4) and isolated elevations of serum T3 have even been noted. We report 9 cases of proven hyperthyroidism with normal or low levels of T3 and elevated T4 and reverse T3 (rT3). Most out of the patients were more than seventy years old and had associated diseases. Our data show that the low T3 with elevated rT3 syndrome--which has been noted in many metabolic and pathologic conditions--can coexist in hyperthyroidism. They emphasize the lack of diagnostic discrimination of T3 assays in thyroid dysfunction especially in the older patient or one with associated disease.