Thyrotrophin Response to Intravenous Thyrotrophin-Releasing Hormone in Patients with Hepatic and Renal Disease

Abstract

Immunoreactive TSH responses to intravenous TRH were studied in normal controls and in patients with either chronic renal failure, established liver disease or after successful renal transplantation. Basal TSH levels and magnitude of the peak response to TRH were, with one exception, normal in liver and renal disease. However, though prompt, TSH elevation was sustained in liver disease, while the peak was delayed and sustained in chronic renal failure. Successful renal transplantation was associated with normal TSH responses. Presumably the sustained TSH levels after TRH reflect impaired plasma clearance of TSH and/or TRH in liver and renal disease.