Hypothyroxinemia in Critically III Patients as a Predictor of High Mortality

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Abstract
Thyroid function was measured in 86 patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Two patients were found to have primary hypothyroidism and were excluded from the study. Hypothyroxinemia with normal thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) levels was found in 22% of the patients and was associated with a high mortality (thyroxine [T4] levels less than 3.0 μg/DL, 84% mortality; T4levels of 3.0 to 5.0 γg/DL, 50% mortality; and T4levels greater than 5.0 γg/DL, 15% mortality). There was a high correlation between low T4levels and mortality. (JAMA1981;245:43-45)