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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2012; (41); 43-47; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00480.x

Presumptive nonthyroidal illness syndrome in critically ill foals.

Abstract: Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis dysfunction is associated with morbidity and mortality in critically ill people. To date, investigations of HPT axis in critically ill foals are limited. Objective: To document the occurrence of low thyroid hormone concentrations (presumptive nonthyroidal illness syndrome; NTIS) in critically ill newborn foals and investigate whether NTIS is associated with severity of disease and outcome. Objective: NTIS occurs frequently in foals with sepsis and is associated with sepsis score and outcome. Reverse T3 (rT3) concentrations will be increased in septic foals and highest in nonsurvivors. Methods: Thyroid hormones (total and free thyroxine [TT4 and fT4], total and free tri-iodothyronine [TT3 and fT3], reverse T3 [rT3]) were prospectively measured in healthy, sick nonseptic and septic foals. Clinical and laboratory information was retrieved from the medical records. Hormones were measured by validated radioimmunoassays. Results: Concentrations of all thyroid hormones except rT3 (P = 0.69) were decreased in septic and sick nonseptic foals (P < 0.01). Reductions in hormone concentrations were associated with an increased sepsis score (P < 0.01). Nonsurviving septic foals had lower TT4, fT4, TT3 and fT3 concentrations than surviving septic foals (P < 0.01). rT3 concentrations were higher in nonsurviving septic prematurefoals than surviving septic premature foals (P < 0.05). Conclusions: NTIS (euthyroid sick syndrome) is frequently observed in critically ill and premature foals, and associated with severity of disease and mortality. Conclusions: More research is needed to better understand the mechanism of this finding and determine whether manipulation of the HPT axis or thyroid replacement therapy could be beneficial.
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Publication Date: 2012-05-19 PubMed ID: 22594025DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00480.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The abstract discusses a study about Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis dysfunction seen in critically ill newborn foals, especially those suffering from sepsis. The study indicates that this condition is linked to severity of disease and mortality, warranting more research to understand the mechanism better.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis dysfunction

  • The research focuses on Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis dysfunction, also termed as presumptive nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), in critically ill foals, especially those suffering from sepsis.
  • NTIS is characterized by low thyroid hormone concentrations.
  • Previous research has shown this condition to be linked to morbidity and mortality in critically ill people, and this study attempts to investigate this connection in the context of newborn foals.

Research Methodology and Results

  • The study involved measuring hormones associated with thyroid function – total and free thyroxine (TT4 and fT4), total and free tri-iodothyronine (TT3 and fT3), and reverse T3 (rT3).
  • The researchers observed healthy, sick nonseptic and septic foals for their study.
  • The research provides evidence that all mentioned thyroid hormones, except rT3, were decreased in septic and sick nonseptic foals.
  • An increased sepsis score was correspondingly associated with reductions in hormone levels.
  • Among the septic foals, nonsurviving ones had lower levels of TT4, fT4, TT3 and fT3 than survivors.
  • Reverse T3 or rT3 concentrations were higher in nonsurviving septic premature foals.

Conclusion

  • NTIS or euthyroid sick syndrome is frequently encountered in critically ill and premature foals. The condition seems to be related to severity of disease and mortality.
  • The findings suggest that more investigation is required to better comprehend the mechanisms involved in this condition.
  • The study hints at the possibility that intervening with the HPT axis or administering thyroid replacement therapy may be beneficial. However, this needs to be substantiated with more research.

Cite This Article

APA
Himler M, Hurcombe SD, Griffin A, Barsnick RJ, Rathgeber RA, MacGillivray KC, Toribio RE. (2012). Presumptive nonthyroidal illness syndrome in critically ill foals. Equine Vet J Suppl(41), 43-47. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00480.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 41
Pages: 43-47

Researcher Affiliations

Himler, M
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Hurcombe, S D A
    Griffin, A
      Barsnick, R J
        Rathgeber, R A
          MacGillivray, K C
            Toribio, R E

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Animals, Newborn
              • Critical Illness
              • Female
              • Horse Diseases / pathology
              • Horses
              • Male
              • Sepsis / veterinary
              • Thyroid Hormones / blood
              • Thyroid Hormones / metabolism

              Citations

              This article has been cited 7 times.
              1. Ellero N, Lanci A, Baldassarro VA, Alastra G, Mariella J, Cescatti M, Castagnetti C, Giardino L. Study on NGF and VEGF during the Equine Perinatal Period-Part 2: Foals Affected by Neonatal Encephalopathy. Vet Sci 2022 Aug 26;9(9).
                doi: 10.3390/vetsci9090459pubmed: 36136675google scholar: lookup
              2. Gehlen H, Jaburg N, Merle R, Winter J. Can Endocrine Dysfunction Be Reliably Tested in Aged Horses That Are Experiencing Pain?. Animals (Basel) 2020 Aug 14;10(8).
                doi: 10.3390/ani10081426pubmed: 32824027google scholar: lookup
              3. Müller V, Toribio RE, Dembek K, Moraes BSS, Mousquer MA, Curcio BR, Nogueira CEW. Serum cortisol and thyroid hormone concentrations and survival in foals born from mares with experimentally induced ascending placentitis. J Vet Intern Med 2020 May;34(3):1332-1338.
                doi: 10.1111/jvim.15758pubmed: 32339347google scholar: lookup
              4. Qari FA. Thyroid function status and its impact on clinical outcome in patients admitted to critical care. Pak J Med Sci 2015 Jul-Aug;31(4):915-9.
                doi: 10.12669/pjms.314.7497pubmed: 26430429google scholar: lookup
              5. Breuhaus BA. Thyroid function and dysfunction in term and premature equine neonates. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Jul-Aug;28(4):1301-9.
                doi: 10.1111/jvim.12382pubmed: 24934827google scholar: lookup
              6. Hilderbran AC, Breuhaus BA, Refsal KR. Nonthyroidal illness syndrome in adult horses. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Mar-Apr;28(2):609-17.
                doi: 10.1111/jvim.12274pubmed: 24417524google scholar: lookup
              7. Stoeckle SD, Stage HJ, Gehlen H. Thyroid Disease in Horses-Retrospective Case Series on Patients Examined for Thyroid Disease in an Equine University Clinic (2009-2024). Vet Sci 2025 Nov 27;12(12).
                doi: 10.3390/vetsci12121127pubmed: 41472107google scholar: lookup
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