[Concentration of thyroid hormones and thyrotropin in the blood of patients with chronic pancreatitis].

Concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), reflecting the thyroid status, and thyrotropin, a hormone of the anterior pituitary were investigated in 123 patients with exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis. T3 and T4 levels were considerably decreased, and a TSH level was raised (P less than 0.001). By the end of therapy the latter was markedly decreased, and T3 and T4 concentrations showed a rising tendency. The greatest changes in the levels of the thyroid hormones were observed in patients with a marked decrease in pancreatic excretory function.