Stroke and thyroid hormones]

The levels of thyroid hormones were determined by RIA in 65 cases in with stroke, in which 42 cases showed low T3 levels (64.6%). The rates of abnormal T3 and rT3 were much higher in hemorrhage group (72.5%) than those in infarction group (52%). T3 and rT3 abnormalities were apparent in the acute stage compared to those in the chronic stage (P less than 0.01), and closely correlated with size of lesions, that is, size of lesions had negative correlation with T3 and T3/rT3 but positive correlation with rT3 when the volume of hemorrhage was more than 30 ml or the area of infarction more than 20 cm2. Determination of T3 and rT3 levels in patients with stroke may be helpful in assessing the severity and prognosing.