Effect of Erythropoietin Administration on Thyroid Functions of the Patients Undergoing Regular Hemodialysis

Prof. Saime Paydas, Associate Professor, Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, TR01330 Adana (Turkey) Dear Sir, Impaired hypothalamic-hypophyseal-go-nadal regulation in uremic patients may induce endocrine disturbances [1]. It has been suggested that administration of erythropoietin (Epo) may improve these endocrinologi-cal changes as well as correct anemia in patients with chronic renal failure [2]. In the present study, we investigated the influence of Epo administration on the thyroid function tests in patients undergoing regular hemodialysis (HD). Fifty-nine clinically euthyroid patients, 31 males and 28 females, with an average age of 38.1 ± 14.8 years (range 15-60) on regular HD, were studied. Patients with goiter, known thyroid disease or with severe systemic illness were excluded. The underlying diseases were glomerulonephritis (n = 17), tubulointerstitial nephritis (n = 11), hypertension (n = 23), autosomal dominant poly-cystic kidney disease (n = 3) and unknown (n = 5). Patients were dialyzed for 4 h 2-3 times/week, receiving subcutaneous Epo 150 IU/kg/week (for 6 months) and oral fer-rum preparations. Serum hematocrit (Hct), total protein, albumin, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were taken immediately before HD. Hematocrit, total protein and albumin were measured by autoanalyzer, T3 and T4 were analyzed by using radioimmunoas-say, and TSH was analyzed by ELISA. Results of the measurements of thyroid function were compared between patients receiving and patients not receiving Epo (controls).