5
Views
1
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Articles

Relationship between low T3 syndrome and NT-proBNP levels in non-cardiac patients

, , , , , & show all
Pages 19-24 | Received 19 Sep 2006, Accepted 10 Oct 2006, Published online: 23 May 2017
 

Abstract

Objectives — A low T3syndrome was described in patients with heart failure (HF), and it appears to be associated with adverse outcome, representing an independent predictor of mortality. However, it is not known if low T3 levels contribute to the pathophysiology of HF. On the other hand, it has been seen that an elevation of brain natriuretic peptides (BNP and NT-proBNP) may represent a warning signal for future cardiovascular disease and may be an early marker of diastolic dysfunction. Therefore we tested the hypothesis that low levels of free-triiodothyronine (FT3) are sufficient to determine an increased concentration of the amino-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), as the result of an initial and asymptomatic cardiac impairment.

Methods — A total of 52 consecutive non-cardiac patients underwent thyroid function profile evaluation and NT-proBNP determination. On the basis of FT3 values they were divided in two subgroups: a low T3group (19patients) and a normal T3group (33patients).

Results — The median NT-proBNP concentration of patients with low T3syndrome was significantly higher than in those with normal FT3 (370 vs. 120 pg/ml, P=0.002). There is a strong and inverse correlation between FT3 and Log NT-proBNP (R = –0.47, P < 0.001); this relation persists in a multivariable regression analysis, after adjustment for other potentially confounding variables (P=0.008).

Conclusion — In absence of overt cardiovascular disease, patients with low T3syndrome present an increased concentration of NT-proBNP. These data suggest that low FT3 levels may be a contributing factor for the development of cardiac dysfunction.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.