Khalid Imran, Sabeen Aatif, Rana Qamar, Iftekhar Ahmed.
Sick Euthyroid Syndrome: thyroid function abnormalities in patients with non-thyroid illness.
J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci Jan ;7(2):83-6.

INTRODUCTION: Non-thyroid illness is accompanied with many severe illnesses like septicemia, renal failure, cirrhosis of liver, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, chronic heart failure, after major surgical trauma, etc. This study was undertaken on first four illnesses,which are common medical problems, and admitted in medical wards in advanced stages. This is to bring awareness amongst clinicians while interpreting TFT abnormalities in severe illnesses. OBJECTIVE: To assess the thyroid function status in patients with severe illnesses,which are commonly encountered in Medical wards. Interpretation of Thyroid hormones should be cautiously made in such conditions.. DESIGN: Descriptive/Observational, Non-interventional study PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Medical unit III, Civil Hospital, Karachi. From 1st March 2001 to 1st April 2002. The cases were recorded as and when received, keeping exclusion criteria as mentioned below. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 adult patients of either sex, admitted in the hospital for non-thyroidal illness were tested for the thyroid function status by means of T3, T4 and TSH analysis. Results were evaluated for the presence of Sick Euthyroid Syndrome. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients, 24 (48%) had a low T3, low T4 or both but with normal TSH. CONCLUSION: Sick Euthyroid Syndrome should be considered while managing the patients with serious and debilitating illnesses.

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