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Steroids combined with levothyroxine to treat children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: a retrospective single-center study

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Abstract

Background

The clinical efficacy and safety of low-dose levothyroxine in the treatment of idiopathic nephritic syndrome accompanied by thyroid dysfunction have not been established.

Methods

One hundred and sixty-four patients were divided into three groups according to the levels of thyroid hormone and treatment. The thyroid status, efficacy and adverse reactions of thyroid treatment were observed in each group.

Results

Thyroid dysfunction was found in 73 patients. 40 cases were treated with steroids combined with levothyroxine. Proteinuria, cholesterol and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were significantly higher in patients with thyroid dysfunction, whereas serum albumin and free and total T3 and T4 levels were lower than those of euthyroid patients. The time for proteinuria remission in patients receiving levothyroxine therapy was shorter and their serum albumin higher than for patients without levothyroxine treatment.

Conclusions

Thyroid hormonal changes are related to the degree of both proteinuria and serum albumin in patients with INS. Combined treatment with low-dose levothyroxine supplementation and steroids in children with INS and thyroid dysfunction is associated with reduced proteinuria and increased plasma albumin compared with patients treated with steroids only.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Jianshe Dong Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450000, People’s Republic of China

    Qing-yin Guo & Yu-feng Liu

  2. Department of Graduate Office, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China

    Qing-jun Zhu

  3. Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China

    Hui-juan Zhang, Ying Ding, Wen-sheng Zhai, Xian-qing Ren, Jian Zhang, Xia Zhang & Meng Yang

Authors
  1. Qing-yin Guo
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  2. Qing-jun Zhu
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  3. Yu-feng Liu
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  4. Hui-juan Zhang
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  5. Ying Ding
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  6. Wen-sheng Zhai
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  7. Xian-qing Ren
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  8. Jian Zhang
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  9. Xia Zhang
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  10. Meng Yang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yu-feng Liu.

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Guo, Qy., Zhu, Qj., Liu, Yf. et al. Steroids combined with levothyroxine to treat children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: a retrospective single-center study. Pediatr Nephrol 29, 1033–1038 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-013-2727-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-013-2727-x

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