Hypothyroidism in children with Nephrotic Syndrome-A one year cross sectional study

-In nephrotic syndrome children urinary albumin losses are not entirely compensated by increased hepatic synthesis , thus leading to hypoalbuminemia. Along with it, many other proteins, are also excreted in urine, some of them being hormones and hormone binding proteins.

-The substantial urinary losses of thyroid hormones and thyroxin binding globulins have widely been found in patients with proteinuria. Total amount of hormone bound to thyroid binding globulin are diminished

-In some patients with sustained nephrotic syndrome and prolonged proteinuria, continuous excretion of thyroid binding globulins can reduce levels of free thyroid hormones and increase TSH leading to hypothyroidism.

-Furthermore, steroids which are the corner stone of treatment of nephrotic syndrome have also been reported to affect the release of TSH by the pituitary gland and can thus contribute to the development of hypothyroidism.