Critical evaluation of thyroid function in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus

ABSTRACT

Sera of 77 patients diagnosed as chronic hcv patients were subjected to a battery of in vitro tests of thyroid function and detection of thyroid autoantibodies. Sera of fifteen patients demonstreated low values for total and or free hormone levels falling within the hypothyroid category. Comparison between patients with thyroid abnormality and all HCV cases revealed significant lower values for T4, T3, FT4 and FT3 in the hypothyroid cases. The decreased T3 and FT3 in HCV was similar to the known low T3 syndrome. The possible mechanisms underlying such finding were discussed. Autoantibodies to thyroid tissue were demonstrated in 7.8% of chronic have patients, 50% of them were euthyroid and 50% were in the hypothyroid category