Endocrine Abstracts

Background and aims: Clinical studies demonstrated that hypothyroidism can be a cause of hypercreatininemia. The aims of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of hypercreatininemia in patients with primary hypothyroidism.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively studied serum creatinine levels in 54 patients with primary iatrogenic hypothyroidism (iatrogenic hypothyroidism result seccondary to radioactive iodine therapy and surgery). Results were compared with measurements in 44 subjects with euthyroid state.

Results: The subjects of study group: 31 women (57.40%) and 23 men (42.59%) were between 44 and 71 years mean age S.D. 62.42±6.34 years. In the hypothyroid state, mean TSH levels, free thyroxine (free T₄) and creatinine levels were 16.1±2.7 mU/l, respectively 0.3±0.1 ng/dl, 1.1±0.1 mg/dl. Fuve patients (9.25%) had creatinine levels greater than the reference intervals There was significant correlation of TSH levels with creatinine levels (r=0.661, P<0.001). The prevalence of hypercreatininemia in patients with primary iatrogenic hypothyroidism was 9.25% (five patients – three women and two men). In control group no subjects had a creatinine levels greater than the reference intervals.

Conclusion: We conclude that hypercreatininemia is common, in patients with primary iatrogenic hypothyroidism. The mechanism by which hypothyroidism induces hypercreatininemia is incompletely understood but creatinine levels should be evaluated in any patient with hypothyroidism.

Key words: primary hypothyroidism, creatinine levels, TSH.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.