Liver function tests in Graves' disease

A study of 30 consecutive patients with Graves' disease investigated the frequency of abnormal liver function tests.

• values for alkaline phosphatase (AP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma -glutamyltransferase (GGT), and total bilirubin were examined
  • of the 30 study patients, 11 (37%) had at least one abnormal result of a liver function test
  • all patients in the study had determinations of AP (not fractionated), of which 10 values (33%) were above normal
  • all patients had AST levels measured and 5 (17%) had increased values that ranged from 36 to 71 U/L
  • six of the 23 patients (26%) with determinations of ALT had increased values that ranged from 45 to 157 U/L
  • twenty-five patients had measurements of GGT and 6 had above normal results (range, 69 to 331 U/L)
  • two of the 24 patients (8%) with determinations of total bilirubin had increased levels

The study authors concluded that the findings indicate that abnormal results of liver function tests are common in patients with hyperthyroidism and make the diagnosis of concomitant, unrelated liver disease difficult until the euthyroid state has been established.

Reference:

1. Endocr Pract. 2000 Sep-Oct;6(5):367-9