Associations between diseases of the thyroid and the liver

Abstract

There are clinical and laboratory associations between thyroid and liver disease. Patients with chronic liver disease may have thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism. Occasionally, alcoholics with active cirrhosis will show eye signs or laboratory evidence of hyperthyroidism, and yet be euthyroid on further testing. Patients with subacute thyroiditis or hyperthyroidism may have abnormalities in liver function tests which return to normal as the thyroid condition improves. In similar fashion, patients with acute or chronic liver disease may have changes in thyroid function tests which improves as the liver inflammation resolves. These interrelationships must be remembered if errors in patient care are to be avoided.