Thyroid Function in Heart Failure
Feb
16
Written by:
2/16/2009
In an article published in the December 27, 2008 issue of Heart Failure Review, Italian researchers confirmed several earlier reports showing that the main alteration of thyroid function seen in heart failure is “low-triiodothyroinine (T3) syndrome” (LT3S).
This syndrome is characterized by decreased serum T3 and FT3 levels with normal levels of thyroxine (T4) and TSH. The authors write that LT3S may have potential negative effects, contributing to the progressive deterioration of cardiac function and the remodeling of myocardial (heart muscle) tissue in heart failure. LT3S represents a powerful predictor of mortality in heart failure patients.
This study along with earlier research showing the benefits of T3 replacement hormone in patients with heart failure indicates that placebo-controlled prospective studied are needed to better define the safety and prognostic (expected outcome) of chronic treatment with synthetic T3 in patients with heart failure.
Resource:
Galli E, Pingitore A, and Iervasi G, The role of thyroid hormone in the pathophysiology of heart failure: clinical evidence, Heart Fail Rev, 2008 Dec 27.