Variation of thyroid hormone levels in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis

Abstract

Background: In chronic kidney disease (CKD) there are structural and functional alterations of the thyroid gland, in addition to concomitant situations that modify the metabolism of their hormones. It has been shown that in CKD there are abnormalities that interfere with peripheral hormonal metabolism. Objectives: To determine the variation of thyroid hormones levels in patient's receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) and to identify the prevalent of thyroid disease. Methods: Cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted with patients under PD. Age, the cause of the nephropathy, the modality of PD and the time received were taken into account, as well as the serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3), total thyroxine (T4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Results: 100 patients were studied (63 men and 37 women). The average age was 58.2 years and the average time of PD was 29.2±3.7 months; the main modality of PD was continuous ambulatory. About 3/4th of the respondents had at least one alteration in one thyroid hormone; there were 36 with subclinical hypothyroidism and 7 with primary hypothyroidism (PH). Conclusions: The thyroid profile should be used as screening in patients undergoing PD.