Man in his 60s with declining kidney function found to have thyroid disorder
A man in his 60s was told he might have stage 3 chronic kidney disease after a health check revealed a decline in his kidney function index (eGFR). Further tests showed he had hypothyroidism. After one month of thyroid hormone replacement therapy, his kidney function improved. Dr. Ho I-cheng, a family medicine physician at Shutian Clinic, warns that there are many causes for declining kidney function, and thyroid abnormalities are one possible cause. It is crucial to identify and treat the root cause to prevent deterioration that could lead to dialysis.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 15:33
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(Central News Agency, reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, 4th) A man in his 60s was told he might have stage 3 chronic kidney disease after a health check revealed a decline in his kidney function index. Tests later showed he had hypothyroidism, and his kidney function improved after treatment. Doctors warn not to ignore a decline in kidney function.
The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a key indicator for assessing kidney function. Regarding the link between eGFR and thyroid function, Dr. Ho I-cheng, a family medicine physician at Shutian Clinic, stated in a press release today that hypothyroidism can affect the function of the glomeruli and renal tubules, leading to a decrease in eGFR. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, often causes an increase in eGFR.
Dr. Ho added that chronic kidney disease can cause protein loss, which can also affect the secretion of pituitary hormones and thus thyroid function. Chronic kidney disease and thyroid dysfunction can form a vicious cycle.
Dr. Ho used the case of a man in his 60s as an example. During a health check, the man's eGFR was found to have dropped to 58 (normal range 90-120). He was told he might have stage 3 chronic kidney disease and promptly sought medical attention. He had no specific symptoms other than feeling easily fatigued and having some mild edema in his lower limbs. His urine test was normal, and there was no excess protein in his urine.
However, a blood test revealed hypothyroidism. Dr. Ho stated that the patient's free thyroxine level was 0.5 (normal range 0.89-1.76), and his thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level was 8.2 (normal range 0.27-4.2). A thyroid ultrasound showed a 0.2 cm nodule on the left side. After one month of thyroid hormone replacement therapy, a blood test showed that his thyroid function was controlled within the normal range, and his kidney function had improved.
Dr. Ho pointed out that the most common cause of a decline in eGFR is chronic kidney disease, which can be caused by diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, chronic nephritis, polycystic kidney disease, kidney tumors, and kidney stones. In addition, thyroid dysfunction can also alter the eGFR. Since eGFR is calculated and estimated from blood creatinine, a metabolic product of muscle, people with a high muscle mass may also have a lower eGFR.
Although there are many factors that can cause a decline in kidney function, Dr. Ho emphasized that the cause must first be identified and treated to prevent the index from worsening. Sometimes, if the cause is improved, the index will also improve. If left unchecked for a long time, it can affect the body's metabolism, and in severe cases, it may even lead to the need for dialysis. Therefore, it should never be ignored. (Editor: Guan Zhongwei) 1150604
The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a key indicator for assessing kidney function. Regarding the link between eGFR and thyroid function, Dr. Ho I-cheng, a family medicine physician at Shutian Clinic, stated in a press release today that hypothyroidism can affect the function of the glomeruli and renal tubules, leading to a decrease in eGFR. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, often causes an increase in eGFR.
Dr. Ho added that chronic kidney disease can cause protein loss, which can also affect the secretion of pituitary hormones and thus thyroid function. Chronic kidney disease and thyroid dysfunction can form a vicious cycle.
Dr. Ho used the case of a man in his 60s as an example. During a health check, the man's eGFR was found to have dropped to 58 (normal range 90-120). He was told he might have stage 3 chronic kidney disease and promptly sought medical attention. He had no specific symptoms other than feeling easily fatigued and having some mild edema in his lower limbs. His urine test was normal, and there was no excess protein in his urine.
However, a blood test revealed hypothyroidism. Dr. Ho stated that the patient's free thyroxine level was 0.5 (normal range 0.89-1.76), and his thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level was 8.2 (normal range 0.27-4.2). A thyroid ultrasound showed a 0.2 cm nodule on the left side. After one month of thyroid hormone replacement therapy, a blood test showed that his thyroid function was controlled within the normal range, and his kidney function had improved.
Dr. Ho pointed out that the most common cause of a decline in eGFR is chronic kidney disease, which can be caused by diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, chronic nephritis, polycystic kidney disease, kidney tumors, and kidney stones. In addition, thyroid dysfunction can also alter the eGFR. Since eGFR is calculated and estimated from blood creatinine, a metabolic product of muscle, people with a high muscle mass may also have a lower eGFR.
Although there are many factors that can cause a decline in kidney function, Dr. Ho emphasized that the cause must first be identified and treated to prevent the index from worsening. Sometimes, if the cause is improved, the index will also improve. If left unchecked for a long time, it can affect the body's metabolism, and in severe cases, it may even lead to the need for dialysis. Therefore, it should never be ignored. (Editor: Guan Zhongwei) 1150604