131I对男性甲状腺功能亢进症血清性激素及甲状腺球蛋白水平影响研究

目的:探讨~(131)I对男性甲状腺功能亢进症患者血清性激素及甲状腺球蛋白水平的影响。方法:收集我院收治的男性甲状腺功能亢进症患者74例,随机分为对照组和实验组,每组各37例,对照组患者给予他巴唑口服,20-30 mg/次,每日口服1次。实验组患者在对照组基础上给予~(131)I治疗。治疗结束后,检测并比较两组患者血清游离三碘甲状腺素(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)、睾酮(T)、雌二醇(E2)、甲状腺球蛋白(TG)水平的变化以及临床疗效。结果:与治疗前相比,两组患者血清FT3、FT4、T、E2、TG水平均显著下降,TSH水平明显升高(P0.05);与对照组相比,实验组患者血清FT3、FT4、T、E2、TG水平较低,TSH水平以及临床治疗有效率较高(P0.05)。结论:~(131)I能够显著降低男性甲状腺功能亢进症血清FT3、FT4、T、E2、TG水平,升高TSH水平,临床效果较好。     

碘131 与抗甲状腺药物治疗甲亢的临床疗效比较

目的:探讨碘131(I131)和抗甲状腺药物治疗甲亢的临床疗效对比,为临床提供参考依据。方法:选择2012年1月至2014年10月我院甲状腺功能亢进患者218例,按照随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,每组各109例患者,观察组采用碘131治疗,对照组采用抗甲状腺药物治疗。比较治疗12个月后两组患者的临床疗效、复发率和并发症,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测治疗前后血清甲状腺激素水平。结果:治疗12个月后,观察组的有效率为92.66%明显高于对照组的69.72%,观察组的复发率为2.75%明显低于对照组的13.76%,差异均有统计学意义(P0.01)。观察组的心脏病、肝功能受损及血象降低等不良反应的发生率为7.34%明显低于对照组32.11%,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。治疗后两组患者的血清甲状腺素(T4)、游离三碘甲状原氨酸(FT3)、三碘甲状原氨酸(T3)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)水平较治疗前降低,且观察组的降低幅度优于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:碘131治疗甲亢可提高临床疗效,降低复发率,不良反应轻,可降低血清甲状腺激素水平,,值得推广应用。     

自身免疫性甲状腺功能紊乱孕妇血清TPOAb 检测的临床价值

目的:探讨血清甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)对于患有自身免疫性甲状腺功能紊乱的孕妇的临床诊断价值。方法:筛选2009年9月至2013年1月我院收治的205例孕妇,其中甲状腺功能紊乱孕妇55例(紊乱组),非甲状腺功能紊乱孕妇150例(非紊乱组);非紊乱组中,年龄30岁的高龄孕妇50例(高龄组),年龄≤30岁的孕妇100例(正常组)。采用化学发光法,测定所有孕妇血清中游离甲状腺三碘原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)和TPOAb水平。结果:紊乱组患者血清中TSH、TPOAb及TPOAb阳性率水平显著高于非紊乱组,且存在统计学意义(均P0.05),而两组患者血清中FT3和FT4水平无统计学意义(均P0.05);高龄组和正常组血清中TSH、FT3、FT4及TPOAb水平均无统计学意义(均P0.05);与TSH正常组相比,TSH异常组中约有超过半数TPOAb表现为阳性,有统计学意义(P0.05);孕妇体内的TSH水平正常与否,均有出现TPOAb阳性的可能,在TSH水平较高(4.67 m IU/L)中,TPOAb阳性概率更高。结论:TSH、FT3、FT4水平正常而TPOAb呈阳性的孕妇依然存在自身免疫性甲状腺功能紊乱的可能性,监测TPOAb的水平对于妊娠期孕妇功能紊乱的诊断与治疗具有重要意义。     

左甲状腺素联合碘131对甲状腺功能亢进症患者甲状腺体积、TR-Ab和TPOAb水平的影响

目的:研究左甲状腺素联合碘131对甲状腺功能亢进症患者甲状腺体积、促甲状腺激素受体抗体(Thyrotropin receptor antibody,TR-Ab)和甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(Thyroid peroxidase antibody,TPOAb)水平的影响。方法:选择2013年1月-2019年1月我院收治的68例甲状腺功能亢进症患者,随机分为两组。对照组使用小剂量(111～148 MBq)的碘131,观察组在碘131的基础上,联合服用左甲状腺素,每次12.5μg,每日1次,均治疗3个月后观察疗效及甲状腺体积、TR-Ab和TPOAb水平变化。结果:观察组治疗3个月后的有效率明显高于对照组(P0.05);治疗前,两组的甲状腺体积、TR-Ab和TPOAb水平无明显差异(P0.05),治疗后,两组的上述指标均明显降低(P0.05),且观察组明显低于对照组(P0.05);治疗前,两组的血清游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(Free triiodothyronine,FT3)、促甲状腺素(Thyroxine,TSH)和游离四碘甲状腺素(Free tetraiodothyroxine,FT4)水平无明显差异(P0.05),治疗后,两组的血清FT3和FT4水平明显降低(P0.05),血清TSH水平明显升高(P0.05),观察组更加明显(P0.05);治疗前,两组的血清甲状腺球蛋白(Thyroglobulin,Tg)和半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂C(Cysteine protease inhibitor C,Cys C)水平无明显差异(P0.05),治疗后,两组的血清Tg和Cys C水平明显降低(P0.05),观察组明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:左甲状腺素联合碘131对甲状腺功能亢进症有确切的疗效,能有效阻碍甲状腺自身抗体产生,改善甲状腺功能,降低血清Tg和Cys C水平。     

桥本氏病合并甲状腺乳头状癌患者血清甲状腺相关激素水平的变化及意义

目的:探究桥本氏病(HT)合并甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)患者血清甲状腺相关激素水平的变化及意义。方法:对我院148例HT患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,根据其是否合并PTC分为HT合并PTC组(n=68)和单纯HT组(n=80)。比较两组患者性别、年龄及血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)、甲状腺功能指标[游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)]、抗甲状腺抗体[甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb)、甲状腺过氧物酶抗体(TPOAb)]水平等临床资料差异,分析血清TSH水平变化及意义。结果:HT合并PTC组患者男性比例、年龄、病程及血清TSH水平均大于单纯HT组,血清TGAb、TPOAb水平则均小于单纯HT组(P0.05);血清FT3、FT4水平比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。HT合并PTC患者组血清TSH4.2 m IU/L患者占比高于血清TSH正常组(P0.05)。血清TSH4.2 m IU/L患者中HT合并PTC患者的占比大于血清TSH水平正常的患者(P0.05)。HT合并PTC患者中,血清TSH水平4.2 m IU/L患者中央区淋巴结转移发生率高于血清TSH水平正常患者(P0.05);血清TSH4.2 m IU/L与血清TSH正常患者多灶癌发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:HT患者血清TSH水平升高可能促进其甲状腺组织癌变,HT合并PTC患者血清TSH水平升高可能促进其中央区淋巴结转移。     

甲状腺功能减退患者血清甲状腺激素、同型半胱氨酸及血脂水平测定的临床意义

目的:探讨甲状腺功能减退患者血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、甲状腺激素(TH)及血脂水平测定的临床意义。方法:选取2016年2月-2017年2月期间我院收治的甲状腺功能减退患者101例为观察组,选取同期于我院体检的健康志愿者80例为对照组。检测所有研究对象甲状腺素(FT4)和三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、Hcy及血脂[甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)]变化水平。比较观察组治疗前后、对照组与观察组治疗前FT3、FT4、Hcy及血脂水平,采用Pearson相关性分析血清Hcy与FT3、FT4、血脂水平的相关性。结果:观察组患者治疗后FT3、FT4均较治疗前升高,Hcy、TC、LDL-C均较治疗前降低(P0.05),而观察组患者治疗前后TG、HDL-C比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组治疗前FT3、FT4、HDL-C水平明显低于对照组,而Hcy、TG、TC、LDL-C则明显高于对照组(P0.05)。经Pearson相关性分析显示,甲状腺功能减退患者Hcy与FT3、FT4呈负相关(P0.05),与TC、TG呈正相关(P0.05),而与LDL-C、HDL-C无相关性(P0.05)。结论:甲状腺功能减退患者的FT3、FT4、Hcy及血脂水平表达异常,且Hcy与FT3、FT4、血脂水平密切相关,临床上可通过监测甲状腺功能减退患者的上述指标,有助于评估患者的病情程度。     

甲状腺癌术后短期甲状腺功能低下对骨代谢的影响

目的:观察分化型甲状腺癌(DTC)患者手术后、碘131(131I)清甲治疗前停用甲状腺素造成的短期甲减对骨代谢的影响。方法:选择DTC术后患者53例作为试验组,50例健康人作为对照组,试验组于停服甲状腺素第二天空腹采血行游离甲状腺素(FT4)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)、血钙(Ca)、血磷(P)、血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、血清骨钙素(BGP),I型前胶原羧基末端前肽(PICP)、I型胶原交联羧基末端肽(ICTP)等各项检查,停服甲状腺素4周后于131I治疗前再行上述检查,对照组于体检当日采空腹血测相同项目。结果:试验组患者停药前血清FT3、FT4水平明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。停服甲状腺素后,试验组患者血清TSH升高,T3、T4水平降低,血BGP、血Ca、PICP、ICTP水平降低,与停药前及对照组的检验结果相比均有明显差异(P0.05)。停药后,骨密度与停药前比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。停服甲状腺素前后血磷水平无明显变化,与对照组相比也没有明显差异(P0.05)。结论:甲状腺癌术后造成甲状腺功能低下可明显影响患者骨代谢,应于131I后及时给予甲状腺激素,及时纠正甲低状态,同时也可适量补充钙剂。     

葫芦岛地区育龄期女性甲状腺功能指标的调查研究

目的探讨葫芦岛地区育龄期女性甲状腺功能水平与孕前促甲状腺激素(TSH)、抗甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPO-Ab)筛查对优生优育的意义。方法选择葫芦岛市1 540例育龄女性,采用罗氏电化学发光E602检测血清TSH、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)和TPO-Ab。结果 1 540例育龄妇女中,TSH异常135例,总异常率为8.7%,不同年龄组间TSH的异常率差异有统计学意义(χ2=33.56,P0.05)。TPO-Ab总阳性率为8.2%,TSH正常与异常组间的比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=34.84,P0.05)。进一步分层分析,TSH异常者中,甲亢与甲减组TPO-Ab阳性率的比较组间差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.043,P0.05)。结论葫芦岛地区育龄期女性甲状腺功能异常率较高,应对孕产妇常规进行甲状腺功能检测。     

弥漫性毒性甲状腺肿患者血清高半胱氨酸蛋白61及Fractalkine水平的表达及其临床意义

摘要 目的：探讨弥漫性毒性甲状腺肿（GD）患者血清高半胱氨酸蛋白61（CYR61）、Fractalkine水平的表达及其临床意义。方法：选取2018年3月～2021年10月河北省邯郸市中心医院收治的57例GD患者作为研究组。另取同期健康体检者50例。采集所有受试者的静脉血,检测血清CYR61、Fractalkine水平,甲状腺功能及甲状腺自身抗体相关指标。采用Pearson检验分析GD患者血清CYR61、Fractalkine水平与甲状腺功能及甲状腺自身抗体相关指标的相关性。结果：研究组血清CYR61、Fractalkine水平均高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。研究组血清游离三碘甲腺原氨酸（FT3）、游离四碘甲腺原氨酸（FT4）均高于对照组,而促甲状腺激素（TSH）水平低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。研究组抗甲状腺球蛋白抗体（TGAb）、甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体（TPOAb）及促甲状腺激素受体抗体（TRAb）水平均高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。经Pearson相关性分析发现,GD患者血清CYR61、Fractalkine水平与FT3、FT4、TGAb、TPOAb、TRAb水平均呈正相关,而与血清TSH水平呈负相关（均P＜0.05）。结论：GD患者血清CYR61、Fractalkine水平异常高表达,且与患者甲状腺功能及甲状腺自身抗体有关。     

婴儿肝炎综合征甲状腺素与Child-Pugh分级的关系

目的:肝脏是甲状腺激素降解、排泄及转化的场所,参与甲状腺结合球蛋白的合成.肝脏及肝脏疾病与甲状腺激素关系方面的文献很多,但有关婴儿肝炎综合征(infantile hepatitis syndrome,IHS)甲状腺素水平的报道很少.本文研究IHS患儿血清甲状腺素水平与Child-Pugh肝功能分级的关系,探讨甲状腺素水平对于指导肝功能的分级、评价肝脏储备功能及其预后的临床意义.方法:收集住院的IHS患儿38例,选择20例健康儿作为正常对照组.应用放射免疫法检测各组血清促甲状腺素(TSH)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)水平.检测IHS患儿血清白蛋白(ALB)、总胆红素(TBIL)、凝血酶原时间(PT),并记录腹水、肝性脑病等临床情况,按成人Child-Pugh分级标准,将患儿分为A、B、C三级,并将Child-Pugh积分与其甲状腺功能各指标做相关性分析.结果:1、IHS组患儿血清FT3、FT4水平显著低于正常对照组(P＜0.05),TSH水平高于正常对照组水平(P＜0.05);FT3、FT4水平随Child-Pugh积分增加而下降,A、B、C三级组间比较有显著性差异(P＜0.05);TSH水平在三级组间无统计学差异(P＞0.05).2、HIS患儿的血清FT3、FT4水平与Child-Pugh积分呈负相关(r=-0.619～-0.80,P＜0.01),与TSH无相关性(P＞0.05).结论:本研究结果显示婴儿肝炎综合征患儿的血清FT3、FT4水平降低,且与其肝脏受损程度有明显的相关性,因此检测血清FT3、FT4水平,对正确评估婴儿肝炎综合征病情严重程度及其预后具有重要的参考价值.     

Thyroid functions in patients with various chronic liver diseases

In order to clarify an alteration in thyroid functions in patients with chronic liver diseases, serum total and free thyroxine (T4, FT4), total and free triiodothyronine (T3, FT3), total reverse T3 (rT3), thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) concentrations, and T3 uptake (T3U) were measured by radioimmunoassays in 53 patients with chronic hepatitis (CH), 24 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis (LC), 17 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma associated with LC (HCC), and 40 normal subjects. Serum T4, T3, and rT3 in CH, and serum rT3 in HCC were significantly increased, while serum T4 in LC and serum T3 in HCC were significantly decreased. Serum TBG was increased and T3U was decreased in these patients. Serum TBG in CH and LC correlated positively with transaminase, and inversely with prothrombin time. FT4 and T4/TBG ratios in CH and LC and FT3 and T3/TBG ratios in LC and HCC were significantly decreased. Although T4/TBG ratios in HCC and T3/TBG ratios in CH were significantly decreased, FT4 in HCC and FT3 in CH were not decreased. The ratio of rT3/T3 in CH and LC correlated with various liver function tests. FT3 in LC and HCC correlated inversely with BSP (45') and positively with KICG. No differences in serum TSH values were found between chronic liver diseases and normal subjects. From these results, it was concluded that the thyroid functions in patients with chronic liver diseases were affected by the decrease in serum thyroxine, elevated serum TBG, the degree of which is in proportion to that of the liver cell damage, and impaired peripheral conversion of T4 to T3, the degree of which is in proportion to that of the hepatic dysfunction.     

Behavior of thyroid hormones and TSH in chronic active hepatitis

The authors studied total and free circulating thyroid hormones, rT3, TBG and TSH behaviour on chronic liver disease in 11 subjects with cirrhosis of the liver with ascites(C.E.) and in 6 subjects with chronic active hepatitis (E.C.A.) in comparison with 15 healthy and euthyroid controls. Serum T3,FT3,T4 and FT4 levels were decreased significantly and serum rT3 values increased significantly both in the subjects with C.E. and in patients with E.C.A. Moreover no significantly changes of TSH and TBG levels has been found in 3 groups studied. These data suggest that the alteration of circulating thyroid hormones in chronic liver disease, may represent a compensatory way of reducing the patient's metabolic requirements.     

Changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis during acute starvation in non-obese patients

We investigated changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis before, during, and after fasting in twenty-one non-obese euthyroid patients with psychosomatic diseases. Blood samples for free T3 (FT3), T3, free T4 (FT4), T4, reverse T3 (rT3), and TSH were obtained from all patients before and on the 5th day of fasting, and in 11 of the same individuals on the 5th day of refeeding. Serum TSH and T3 responses to TRH were also evaluated in 10 patients before and on the 5th day of fasting. During the fast, FT3, T3 and TSH levels decreased significantly and rT3 levels increased significantly whereas FT4 and T4 levels remained within the normal range. Maximal delta TSH, peak TSH levels, max delta T3, peak T3 levels, and net secretory responses to TRH decreased significantly. Peak TSH levels and max delta TSH to TRH correlated well with basal levels of TSH. A statistically significant negative correlation between basal levels of FT4 and TSH was observed. After refeeding, there was a significant increase only in TSH which returned to prefasting values. These results demonstrated that in a state of "low T3" during acute starvation a reduction in serum T3 might depend partly on TSH-mediated thyroidal secretion.     

氨曲南联合恩替卡韦对肝硬化原发性腹膜炎患者血清甲状腺激素水平及临床疗效的影响

目的:探讨氨曲南联合恩替卡韦对乙肝肝硬化原发性腹膜炎患者血清甲状腺激素水平及临床疗效的影响。方法:选择于我院就诊的乙肝肝硬化原发性腹膜炎患者60例,根据电脑生成的随机数字表将所有患者随机分为实验组和对照组,每组各30例,对照组患者给予氨曲南进行治疗,实验组患者在对照组的基础上联合应用恩替卡韦进行治疗。比较治疗前后两组患者血清甲状腺激素、中性粒细胞比例、血白细胞及腹水细胞水平,并对治疗前后两组患者的体重、腹围及24 h尿量进行记录。结果:与治疗前相比,两组患者血清TSH水平、体重、腹围均降低,FT3、FT4、T3、T4水平及24 h尿量升高(P0.05);与对照组相比,实验组患者血清TSH水平、体重、腹围较低,FT3、FT4、T3、T4水平及24h尿量较高(P0.05);临床总有效率较高(P0.05)。结论:氨曲南联合恩替卡韦对乙肝肝硬化原发性腹膜炎具有较好的临床疗效,推测其机制与改善甲状腺激素水平,降低炎症反应有关。     

Serum T3, T4, FT3, TSH and TBG in Turner's syndrome]

Turner's syndrome was originally reported as sexual infantilism, short stature, webbed neck and cubitus valgus. Subsequent investigations, however, have disclosed many other abnormalities both in chromosomal and physical features occurring in this syndrome. An increased prevalence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in patients with Turner's syndrome has been well documented and molecular defects of the TBG have been described. In our study we examined serum T3, T4, FT3, FT4, TSH and TBG levels in 18 girls with Turner's syndrome, in 18 healthy control girls and in the parents of both groups. We reported significant elevated levels of T3 and FT3 in the Turner's group (P 0.01). We did not find any quantitative abnormalities of immunoreactive TBG in the same patients.     

Elevated serum IL-16 and RANTES levels in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases and modulation by methimazole therapy

Interleukine-16 (IL-16) and RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) are 2 cytokines with the function of T helper cell recruitment, which might play a key role in pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). This study was aimed to evaluate the IL-16 and RANTES in patients with AITD. Serum IL-16 and RANTES levels were measured in patients with Graves' disease (GD; n=45), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT; n=68), nontoxic multinodular goiter (NTMNG; n=20), and healthy individuals (n=61). The results showed that serum IL-16 and RANTES levels were elevated both in HT and higher in untreated GD patients when compared to NTMNG patients and the healthy individuals, which were decreased after MMI therapy in untreated GD patients. However, in HT patients, serum IL-16 and RANTES levels were comparable among the conditions of hyperthyroid and euthyroid received by l-thyroxine therapy and untreated hypothyroid. Furthermore, serum IL-16 levels were correlated with FT3, FT4, TRAb in GD, but not in HT patients. The data did not show any correlation between RANTES levels and clinical factors. In conclusion, IL-16 and RANTES might be involved in the pathogenesis of GD and HT, and serum IL-16 levels in GD maybe a potential marker of disease activity and severity.     

Trimester-specific thyroid hormone reference ranges in Sudanese women

Background

Trimester-specific reference ranges for T3, T4, and TSH need to be established in different communities. Neither Sudan nor other African countries have established trimester-specific reference ranges for TSH, free T3 (FT3), and free T4 (FT4) in healthy pregnant women. This study aimed to establish trimester-specific reference ranges for TSH, FT3, and FT4 in healthy pregnant Sudanese women.

Results

We performed a longitudinal study, which included 63 women with singleton pregnancies who were followed since early pregnancy until the third trimester. The study was performed in Saad Abu-Alela Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan, during January to October 2014. An equal number of age- and parity-matched non-pregnant women were enrolled as a control group. Basic clinical and obstetrics data were gathered using questionnaires. TSH, FT3, and FT4 levels were measured. Median (5th–95th centile) values of TSH, FT3, and FT4 were 1.164 IU/ml (0.079–2.177 IU/ml), 4.639 nmol/l (3.843–6.562 nmol/l), and 16.86 pmol/l (13.02–31.48 pmol/l) in the first trimester. Median values of TSH, FT3, and FT4 were 1.364 IU/ml (0.540–2.521 IU/ml), 4.347 nmol/l (3.425–5.447 nmol/l), and 13.51 pmol/l (11.04–31.07 pmol/l) in the second trimester. These values were 1.445 IU/ml (0.588–2.460 IU/ml), 4.132 nmol/l (3.176–5.164 nmol/l), and 12.87 pmol/l (9.807–23.78 pmol/l) in the third trimester, respectively. TSH levels increased throughout the trimesters. FT3 and FT4 levels were significantly higher in the first trimester compared with the second and third trimesters. TSH, FT3, and FT4 levels were significantly lower in pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women (P?<?0.001).

Conclusions

The present study is the first to establish trimester-specific reference ranges of TSH, FT3, and FT4 in Sudanese women with normal pregnancies. Our results suggest that pregnancy is likely to suppress TSH, T3, and T4 levels in healthy women.

     

Clinical evaluation of accuracy in determining serum free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine in patients with non-thyroidal illness: immunoglobulin effect on T3/TBG ratio and T4/TBG ratio

We examined the effect of endogenous immunoglobulins (G, A and M) and albumin on the measurement of thyroid hormones by different methods, including a new non-isotopic immunoassay of free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3), in a large number of patients with non-thyroidal illness (NTI). Variations in serum protein concentrations can affect the results of radioimmunoassay of human thyroid hormones and thyroxine binding globulin (TBG). Our data revealed that in patients with non-thyroidal illness, when fluctuations in serum gamma-globulin occurred the T3/TBG and T4/TBG ratios altered. Consequently, when patients are suffering from non-thyroidal illness with changing gamma-globulin levels, clinical scientists should take care when they use T3/TBG and T4/TBG ratios as a substitute for FT3 or FT4 estimation. We found FT4 and FT3 (determined with Amerlex-M kits) T3 and the T3/TBG ratio were altered inversely due to the difference in the serum gamma-globulin levels. A recently developed enhanced luminescence enzyme immunoassay for FT3 and FT4 (Amerlite FT3 and FT4 kits) provides more reliable and accurate results, because of its resistance to interference, especially from albumin and gamma-globulin.     

Serum and tissue coenzyme Q9 in rats with thyroid dysfunctions

Serum and tissue CoQ9 levels were determined in hypothyroid, euthyroid and hyperthyroid rats. A significant negative correlation was demonstrated between serum FT4 or T3 and CoQ9 in rats with various states of thyroid functions. Liver CoQ9 was significantly increased in rats rendered mildly hyperthyroid. There was a significant positive correlation between serum FT4 or T3 and liver CoQ9. While liver CoQ9 did not significantly change in severely hyperthyroid animals, liver mitochondrial CoQ9 showed a significant positive correlation with serum T3. Kidney and heart CoQ9 levels did not significantly change in hyperthyroid rats, but those in hypothyroid rats showed a tendency to increase. It was suggested that the synthesis of CoQ9 was increased in the liver in hyperthyroidism.     

Serum TSH, T4, T3, FT4, FT3, rT3, and TBG in youngsters with non-ketotic insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Several parameters of thyroid function were studied in 112 non-ketoacidotic youngsters with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Levels of thyroxine (T4), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) and T3 were lower than in controls, whereas FT4, and FT3 were normal. T4 levels in IDDM patients were positively related to T3, rT3 and TBG, and inversely related to haemoglobin A1 (HbA1). However, only 4 patients showed biochemical hypothyroidism (T4 less than 5 micrograms/100 ml), whereas their FT4, FT3 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were normal. Concurrent variations of T3 and rT3 levels were found in IDDM patients; thus, their T3/rT3 ratios were stable or higher than in controls, indicating that peripheral deiodination of T4 is preferentially oriented to production of rT3 only during ketoacidosis. Although changes in thyroid function may reflect the degree of metabolic control of diabetes in a large population, the clinical usefulness of serum thyroid hormone measurements in an individual case still appears to be limited.