Abstract

Background: Cirrhotic patients are more liable to thyroid dysfunction especially
hypothyroidism and may have thyroiditis and hyperthyroidism. The aim of this
work is the evaluation of thyroid dysfunction in elderly patients with chronic liver
disease. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study included 54 elderly patients
with clinical, biochemical, and ultrasound evidence of cirrhosis of liver which was
carried out in Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig
University Hospitals. All subjects included in this study were elderly over 65 years
and subjected to through clinical examination and full history taking with special
stress on age, sex, comorbidities, medications, symptoms of hepatic decompensation
and symptoms of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. The technical part was done
at Biochemistry Department in Zagazig University. We assessed complete blood
count, serm bilirubin, serum albumin, serum ALT and AST, serum creatinine,
serum urea, PT, PTT, INR, TSH, free T3, T4 and lipid profile. Results: There was a
statistically significant positive correlation between serum TSH and weight, BMI,
Child score, total, direct bilirubin, INR, serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and
triglycerides. There is significant negative correlation between TSH and total
leucocytic count, platelet count, serum albumin. There was a significant negative
correlation between free T4 and both weight and BMI. There is significant positive
correlation between free T3 and total leucocytic count, and platelet count. There is
non-significant correlation between free T3 and neither weight, BMI, age,
hemoglobin, serum albumin, serum creatinine, ALT, AST, INR, LDL or HDL
cholesterol There was a significant negative correlation between child score and
TSH while there is significant positive correlation between child score and both Ft4
and FT3. There is significant relation between presence and degree of ascites and
all of free T4, free T3 and TSH. Conclusion: There is important relation between
Child pough class and all of free T4, free T3 and TSH. There is significant relation
between grade of hepatic encephalopathhy and all of free T4, free T3 and TSH.