Oral triiodothyronine in the perioperative management of central hypothyroidism

Venkatesan T, Thomas N, Ponniah M, Khan D, Chacko AG, Rajshekhar V
Correspondence: Dr Nihal Thomas, nihal_thomas@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Oral triiodothyronine (T3) has never been described in literature as a major form of perioperative therapy. This series highlights the role of oral triiodothyronine in the perioperative management of patients with overt hypothyroidism for semi-urgent surgeries. We describe 12 patients with central hypothyroidism occurring secondary to pituitary tumours manifesting with severe neurological symptoms that required early surgical intervention. These patients were managed without any significant complications by administering perioperative oral triiodothyronine.

Keywords: central hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism, oral triiodothyronine, peri-operative management, pituitary surgery
Singapore Med J 2007; 48(6): 555–558