Glomerular filtration rate is associated with free triiodothyronine in euthyroid subjects: Comparison between various equations to estimate renal function and creatinine clearance

Josephine L C Anderson; Eke G Gruppen; Lynnda van Tienhoven-Wind; Michele F Eisenga; Hanne de Vries; Ron T Gansevoort; Stephan J L Bakker; Robin P F Dullaart

doi:10.1016/j.ejim.2017.10.009

Glomerular filtration rate is associated with free triiodothyronine in euthyroid subjects: Comparison between various equations to estimate renal function and creatinine clearance

Eur J Intern Med. 2018 Feb:48:94-99. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2017.10.009. Epub 2017 Nov 1.

Authors

Josephine L C Anderson¹, Eke G Gruppen², Lynnda van Tienhoven-Wind¹, Michele F Eisenga³, Hanne de Vries¹, Ron T Gansevoort³, Stephan J L Bakker³, Robin P F Dullaart⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
² Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Nephrology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Nephrology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: r.p.f.dullaart@umcg.nl.

PMID: 29079274
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2017.10.009

Abstract

Background: Effects of variations in thyroid function within the euthyroid range on renal function are unclear. Cystatin C-based equations to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are currently advocated for mortality and renal risk prediction. However, the applicability of cystatin C-based equations is discouraged in patients with overt thyroid dysfunction, since serum cystatin C and creatinine levels are oppositely affected by thyroid dysfunction. Here, we compared relationships of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) with various measures of kidney function in euthyroid subjects.

Methods: Relationships of eGFR, based on creatinine (eGFRcrea), cystatin C (eGFRcysC), creatinine+cystatin C combined (eGFRcrea-cysC) and creatinine clearance (CrCl) with TSH, FT4 and FT3 were determined in 2180 euthyroid subjects (TSH, FT4 and FT3 all within the reference range; anti-thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies negative) who did not use thyroid hormones, anti-thyroid drugs, amiodarone or lithium carbonate.

Results: In multivariable models including TSH, FT3 and FT4 together, eGFRcrea, eGFRcysC and eGFRcrea-cysC and CrCl were all positively related to FT3 (P≤0.001), translating into a 2.61 to 2.83mL/min/1.73m² increase in eGFR measures and a 3.92mL/min increase in CrCl per 1pmol/L increment in FT3. These relationships with FT3 remained taking account of relevant covariates.

Conclusions: In euthyroid subjects renal function is associated with thyroid function status, especially by serum FT3, irrespective of the eGFR equation applied. In the euthyroid state, cystatin C-based eGFR equations are appropriate to assess the relationship of renal function with variation in thyroid function status.

Keywords: Creatinine clearance; Estimated glomerular filtration rate; Free thyroxine; Free triiodothyronine; Renal function; Thyroid stimulating hormone; Urinary albumin excretion.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Adult
Creatinine / blood*
Cystatin C / blood*
Female
Glomerular Filtration Rate*
Humans
Kidney / physiopathology*
Linear Models
Male
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Netherlands
Risk Factors
Thyroid Function Tests
Thyroid Gland / physiology*
Thyroid Hormones / blood
Thyrotropin / blood
Triiodothyronine / blood*

Substances

Cystatin C
Thyroid Hormones
Triiodothyronine
Thyrotropin
Creatinine