Thyroid Hormone Levels Paradox in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objective: Accumulating evidence has suggested that thyroid hormone levels affect the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but the results have been inconsistent.

Methods: Basic data, neural scale scores, thyroid hormone levels, and other laboratory examination data of AIS patients were collected. The patients were divided into excellent and poor prognosis group at discharge and 90 days after discharge. Logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the relationship between thyroid hormone levels and prognosis. A subgroup analysis was performed based on stroke severity.

Results: A number of 441 AIS patients were included in this study. Those in the poor prognosis group were older, with higher blood sugar levels, higher free thyroxine (FT4) levels, and severe stroke (all < 0.05) at baseline. Free thyroxine (FT4) showed a predictive value (all < 0.05) for prognosis in the model adjusted for age, gender, systolic pressure, and glucose level. However, after adjustment for types and severity of stroke, FT4 showed insignificant associations. In the severe subgroup at discharge, the change in FT4 was statistically significant ( = 0.015), odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.394 (1.068-1.820) but not in the other subgroups.

Conclusions: High-normal FT4 serum levels in patients with severe stroke receiving conservative medical treatment at admission may indicate a worse short-term prognosis.