Assessment of thyroid and adrenal function in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

J Intern Med. 1989 May;225(5):337-41. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.1989.tb00091.x.

Abstract

This study was performed to evaluate thyroid and adrenal function in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. Twenty-four patients without any clinical overt endocrinological dysfunction were studied. None of the patients showed laboratory evidences of hypo- or hyperthyroidism. A short ACTH-stimulation test was performed in 17 of the patients. A low cortisol response to ACTH stimulation, suggesting adrenocortical insufficiency, was found in four (24%) of the patients, and an intermediate response interpreted as suspected hypofunction was found in three (18%) patients. Low serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels, suggesting adrenal hypofunction, were found in six (25%) of the patients. We believe that the possibility of glucocorticoid insufficiency should always be considered in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / pharmacology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aldosterone / urine
  • Amyloidosis / genetics*
  • Amyloidosis / metabolism
  • Amyloidosis / physiopathology
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / analogs & derivatives
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / blood
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / genetics*
  • Nervous System Diseases / metabolism
  • Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Syndrome
  • Thyroid Gland / physiopathology*
  • Thyroid Hormones / blood

Substances

  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone
  • Aldosterone
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone