Citation Information :
Chaitanya PS, Suresh V, Mohan A, Sachan A, Divya BS, Raghavendra K, Manideepti D. Pulmonary Function in Hypothyroidism Before and After Restoration of Euthyroid Status. Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci 2020; 62 (2):51-56.
Objective: Pulmonary manifestations are rarely a major problem in hypothyroid patients; though subtle restrictive pattern on spirometry has been reported. The effect of thyroxine replacement on spirometric indices has not been adequately studied.
Methods: Patients with primary hypothyroidism (thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] > 15 mIU/L) not having any known pulmonary or cardiac pathological (N=42) were screened for inclusion in the study. All patients underwent spirometry and following parameters were recorded: forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, mid-expiratory flow rate (FEV25%-75%), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), both as absolute values and as a percentage of the predicted value. Subsequently, patients were started on levothyroxine replacement treatment and the dosage was titrated to achieve euthyroid state. Spirometry was repeated two months or more after the restoration of the euthyroid state.
Results: Their mean age was 37.1±12.6 years. No significant correlation was observed between thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and any of the baseline spirometric parameters. Comparison of spirometric parameters (as percentage of predicted values) before and after treatment showed a clinically significant improvement in FVC, FEV1 and FEF25%-75% (P< 0.05).
Conclusions: Hypothyroidism was characterised by an asymptomatic; yet predominant restrictive pattern of pulmonary function abnormality. After thyroxine replacement, there was a significant improvement in the restrictive pattern.
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