Alterations in binding of thyroid hormones to serum proteins in patients on regular haemodialysis

Abstract

Content of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was determined in the blood plasma of patients with severe renal failure treated by intermittent haemodialysis. Hormone binding to serum proteins was simultaneously analyzed. A decrease in the levels of T3 and T4, as well as an increase in the amount of TSH were observed in all analyzed specimens. However, a significant decline (p<0.025) was detected only in the level of T3 after haemodialysis as compared to the control values. The analysis of hormone binding to serum proteins using agarose gel electrophoresis indicated that higher levels of hormones were bound to albumin in the sera of patients and not of controls. Also a redistribution of hormones binding to albumin and prealbumin occurred in haemodialysis.