Rapid and reversible alterations in thyroid function tests in dehydrated patients

Nurs Clin North Am. 2007 Mar;42(1):127-34, viii-ix. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2006.11.009.

Abstract

Dehydration commonly leads to hypovolemia and hemoconcentration. Changes in thyroid hormone-binding proteins secondary to hemoconcentration profoundly affect total serum thyroid hormone concentrations. The authors sought to determine the acute effects of mild to moderate dehydration on thyroid hormone levels/thyroid function tests and its reversibility upon rehydration. Total thyroxine, total triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and the free-thyroxine index decreased significantly after hydration, in parallel with the decrease in extra cellular fluid volume status markers. Triiodothyronine-resin uptake increased after hydration. Thyrotropin levels decreased by 8% after hydration. Hypovolemia leads to simultaneous alterations in extracellular fluid volume markers and thyroid hormone serum concentrations that reverse rapidly upon rehydration. This constitutes, by itself, a distinct and new clinical entity.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blood Chemical Analysis
  • Dehydration / blood
  • Dehydration / complications
  • Dehydration / diagnosis*
  • Dehydration / nursing*
  • Emergency Treatment
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Thyroid Function Tests*
  • Thyroid Hormones / blood*

Substances

  • Thyroid Hormones