Thyroid Hormones in Critical Illness

Matthew J Maiden; David J Torpy

doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2018.11.012

Thyroid Hormones in Critical Illness

Crit Care Clin. 2019 Apr;35(2):375-388. doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2018.11.012. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Authors

Matthew J Maiden¹, David J Torpy²

Affiliations

¹ Intensive Care Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Port Road, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; Intensive Care Unit, Barwon Health, Ryrie St, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia; Discipline of Acute Care Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia. Electronic address: mjmaiden@ozemail.com.au.
² Endocrine and Metabolic Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Port Road, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia.

PMID: 30784616
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccc.2018.11.012

Abstract

Thyroid hormone is integral for normal function, yet during illness, circulating levels of the most active form (triiodothyronine [T3]) decline. Whether this is an adaptive response in critical illness or contributes to progressive disease has remained controversial. This review outlines the basis of thyroid hormone changes during critical illness and considers the evidence regarding T3 replacement.

Keywords: Critical illness; Low T3 syndrome; Non-thyroidal illness syndrom; Sick euthyroid; Thyroid hormone; Triiodothyronine.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Critical Care / methods*
Critical Illness / therapy*
Euthyroid Sick Syndromes / diagnosis
Euthyroid Sick Syndromes / drug therapy*
Euthyroid Sick Syndromes / physiopathology*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Triiodothyronine / therapeutic use*

Substances

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Triiodothyronine