In order to find prognostic parameters in patients with severe diseases, we analyzed sequentially the levels of thyroid hormones. METHODS. We measured iodothyronines (T3, T4 and rT3) in 42 patients before the admission and after the discharge in an intensive care unit. In addition, we also measured the iodothyronines in other 17 patients after the discharge. RESULTS. Comparing the group of good outcome with the patients who died, we observed in the former group initial normal T4 levels in 76% of the patients, which were maintained in 65% of them during hospitalization and in 70% of them at the time of delivery from the intensive care unit. Patients who died, however, presented initial low T4 levels in 56% of them, decreasing values in 95% of them during hospitalization and low levels in 81% of patients at the last dosage. The combined profile of T3 and T4 also differentiated good and bad outcome. CONCLUSION. We suggest that serial analysis of serum levels of thyroid hormones may help the evaluation of critical care patients.
Thyroid hormones; Euthyroid sick syndrome; Intensive care units
