Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Disturbance of thyroid hormones metabolism and morphology is common in ESRD (end stage renal disease) but there are discrepancies between data after transplantation. The aim of this study was assessment of the thyroid function and morphology after renal transplantation surgery.

Material and method: All recipient patients, without previous history of thyroid disorders, were enrolled. Serum level of creatinine, total T3 and T4 (TT3, TT4), resin T3uptake (RT3U), TSH and thyroid staging were assessed and also volume and echogenicity were determined by ultrasonography 1 week before and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery.

Results: Thirty-two patients (22 males, 10 females) with mean±S.D. of age 38.2±12.6 years were evaluated. TT3, TT4 and RT3U levels significantly increased by improvement of graft function (P<0.05) but values remained in low level in 7 patients with delayed graft function. No case with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism was detected. Thyroid volume (mm³) decreased and echogenicity increased after transplantation (P<0.05). Six patients had thyroid nodules and cysts before and 2 new cysts were detected after surgery, that all were benign. There was not any relationship between age, sex, type and duration of dialysis with thyroid function after transplantation.

Conclusion: This survey reveals that there is a clear correlation between thyroid function and morphology (volume and echogenicity) with improvement of kidney function after transplantation but long-term follow-up requires for evaluation of thyroid nodules and malignancies after transplantation.