‘LOW T3 SYNDROME’ IN PATIENTS CHRONICALLY TREATED WITH AN IODINE‐CONTAINING DRUG, AMIODARONE

Abstract

Cardiac patients treated with the iodine-containing drug 'amiodarone' undergo a significant iodine overload which can last for months after the drug has been withdrawn. Some patients develop hyperthyroidism and others hypothyroidism. In the hyper- or hypothyroid patients, the indices of thyroid function are modified as usually observed in these situations. In the patients remaining euthyroid while taking amiodarone or after its withdrawal, but still under its influence as shown by the iodine overload, a 'low-T3 syndrome' is observed, this state being characterized by a high total T4, a low free T4, a normal T3 resin uptake, a low total T3, a normal free T3, a high r-T3 and a relative TSH-unresponsiveness to TRH.