ALTERATION OF THYROID FUNCTION AND MORPHOLOGY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING REGULAR HEMODIALYSIS AND CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY PERITONEAL DIALYSIS

In vitro thyroid function tests were performed on clinically euthyroid patients undergoing regular hemodialysis (HD) or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).Thyroid function abnormalities were studied in 27 CAPD patients and 15 HD patients. Thyroid volume was measured by ultrasonography and thyroid nodules were detected. Serum free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), TSH level, antimicrosomal antibodies and antithyroglobulin antibodies were also measured. These values were compared to control group(n-100 patients). Serum fT4 levels were under the normal range while serum fT3 and TSH level were nearly normal. Antimicrosomal antibody and antithyro globulin antibody levels were also under normal range. In study group, thyroid volumes were normal, but nodular thyroid diseases were more common than normal population. Because of the high incidence of thyroid dysfunction and nodular goitre were found, screening of thyroid function and goitre detection with ultrasound should be considered in uremic patients.