Thyroid function in the intensive care unit setting.

In sum, there is no convincing evidence yet published supporting the utility of T4 or T3 administration in patients with nonthyroidal illness. The authors recognize that evidence accrued in one disease state may not be applicable to others and that, although these studies are difficult to perform, further large scale prospective studies need to be performed. The issue of T3 treatment will not be resolved satisfactorily until more definitive data are available. Until that time, there may be rare circumstances when a clinician may think it best to treat an individual patient with T4 or T3. For the majority of patients, however, there will be little indication for the administration of thyroid hormones until the potential benefits can be shown to outweigh the risks.