Evaluation of Thyroid Function Tests and the Effect of Levothyroxine on Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trail

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the causes of death wherein thyroid hormone concentrations are abnormally altered. This study aimed to assess thyroid function tests and the effect of levothyroxine on TBI and its outcome.

In this randomized clinical trial study, the TBI group Levothyroxine (50 mg) was administered twice daily for three days; the control group received a placebo in a similar pattern. The serum levels of T3, T4, and TSH were evaluated in 100 TBI patients on days 1 and 7. A questionnaire related to Disability was assessed using both Disability Rating Scale (DRS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS version 20.

The mean levels of T3 and TSH in both groups were not significantly different. T4 levels of the patients receiving levothyroxine were significantly higher than the control group. The mean DRS scores at the time of discharge were lower in the levothyroxine group compared to the placebo group.

Our results showed that levothyroxine is effective in improving patients suffering moderate head trauma. Furthermore, the T4 serum level can be used as a prognostic factor in these patients.