Correlation between severity of thyroid dysfunction and renal function.
OBJECTIVE
Renal function is profoundly influenced by thyroid status; however, this has not been studied in detail in human subjects. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between renal function and thyroid status before and after treatment for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, respectively.


METHODS
In 37 consecutive hypothyroid and 14 hyperthyroid patients renal function as measured by plasma creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) [based on the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula] was determined before treatment and after regaining euthyroidism.


RESULTS
Renal function improved significantly during treatment of hypothyroidism and decreased during treatment of hyperthyroidism. There was a strong correlation between the change in thyroid status determined as the ratio log(10)(fT4 post-treatment/fT4 pretreatment) and the change in renal function as a result of therapy expressed as serum creatinine (r(2) = 0.81, P < 0.0001) and estimated GFR (0.69, P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The kidney is an important target of thyroid hormone action.
den Hollander
Jan G
JG
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Centre Rotterdam Zuid, Groene Hilledijk 315, 3075 EA Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Wulkan
Remi W
RW
Mantel
Mart J
MJ
Berghout
Arie
A
D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D013972:Thyrotropin; D003404:Creatinine; D013974:Thyroxine