The Prevalence of low T3 syndrome in chronic heart failure:
A Hospital-based study
Background: Effect of thyroid hormone on cardiac functions is mediated by biologically active T3 which binds to nuclear TR. There is increasing evidence that patients with mild thyroid dysfunctions are presenting with adverse cardiovascular manifestations which includes heart failure. Aim: The present study aimed to determine the existence of low T3 syndrome in patients with chronic heart failure. Material and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine and Cardiology, KMC, and MGM Hospital, Warangal. patients with heart failure were included in the study. A total of n=100 patients were included in the study detailed physical examination was conducted to assess the patient's volume status (rales, edema, jugular venous distension), weight, height, body mass index, and orthostatic blood pressure changes. Complete blood count, blood glucose (fasting and 2 hours postprandial), Fasting serum lipid profile, blood urea, serum creatinine, and serum electrolytes were measured in all patients. Two-dimensional echocardiography was done in patients. Results:Analysis of Echocardiography parametersCompared to patients who were alive (n=90),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was higher in those whodied (n=10). The mean ejection fraction in died and alive groups were27.19% and 35.12% respectively. Persons who died had asignificantly lower ejection fraction than those alive.When the mean ejection fraction was compared betweenpatients with low total T3 (T3<80 ng/dl) and normal T3 , patients with low T3 had a mean ejection fraction of 29.2% and those with normal T3 levels had a mean ejection fraction of 34.78%. This indicates the mean ejection fraction is lower in patients with low total T3 levels. Conclusion:Within the limitations of the present study it can be concluded that the prevalence of low T3 syndrome in patients with chronic heart failure is common. It was found that patients with lower T3 levels were having a lower ejection fraction.The LVEDD diameterwas negatively correlated with total T3. Therefore, Total T3 levels can be used as an adjunct to other parameters for risk stratification and survival estimation in chronic heart failure.