Evaluation of the results of thyroid function tests in hemodialysis patients

¯Abstract Background: Chronic renal failure and hemodialysis can cause some abnormalities in thyroid function tests (TFT). Objective: To evaluate TFT abnormalities in hemodialyzed patients of Qazvin. Methods: In a descriptive study, blood samples were taken from all hemodialyzed patients at Bu-Ali hospital (Qazvin, Iran) in 2005. RIA and IRMA techniques were used to measure the serum levels of T3, T4, T3RU and TSH. Mean central statistical data were estimated. Findings: Forty two percent of cases were found to have no abnormalities in any parameters of TFTs, however, in 58% of cases, one or more parameters were shown to be abnormal. The most prevalent abnormality was related to T4 (all less than normal levels) and the least one associated with FTI. While the majority of abnormal T3 and FTI were diminished type, it was an elevated type for the majority of abnormal T3RU and TSH. Twenty two out of all abnormal TFT cases were detected to have hypothyroid criteria and 1 case with hyperthyroid criteria, nonetheless, a true hypo or hyper thyroid criteria was not established for the rest of abnormal TFT cases. Conclusion: The rate of true involvement of thyroid in hemodialyzed patients by laboratory criteria was higher than patients with no hemodialysis and most cases were affected by hypothyroidism. Regarding the high prevalence of non-specific abnormalities of the TFT results, they must be interpreted with cautions in hemodialyzed patients