Post-mortem estimation of thyroid hormones in blood and vitreous humor combined with the histopathological examination of the thyroid gland

ABSTRACT

In forensic medicine, the study of thyroid function and disease is important in cases of sudden death. The aim of the current study was to investigate the possibility of diagnosing post-mortem thyroid hormonal abnormalities and to compare the thyroid hormone levels [both in blood and vitreous humor] with the histopathological appearance of the thyroid gland. Thirty forensic autopsy cases of both sexes were included in this study. Thyroid hormones [T3 and T4] were analyzed in the femoral blood as well as in the vitreous humor of both eyes for every case in addition to the histopathological examination of both thyroid lobes. Serum T4 was found to be a better indicator than serum T3 for assessing the thyroid status and was matching better than serum T3 with the histopathological pattern. The serum T3 was positively correlated to the serum T4. The serum and vitreous T3 and T 4 levels were positively correlated to each other. The postmortem estimation of the thyroid hormones was helpful in the diagnosis of sudden unexpected death. Measurements of post-mortem T3 and T4 in serum were better indicators than vitreous T3 and T4 and, serum T4 is more valuable than serum T3 for the assessment of the thyroid status. Postmortem T3 and T4 levels in serum and vitreous are moderately comparable to the postmortem histopathological appearances