In euthyroid sick syndrome, which hormone is elevated?

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Multiple Choice

In euthyroid sick syndrome, which hormone is elevated?

Explanation:
During illness, thyroid hormone metabolism shifts so that the inactive form becomes more prominent: more T4 is diverted to reverse T3 while the production of active T3 is reduced. This is due to changes in deiodinase enzymes that normally convert T4 to T3; in non-thyroidal illness, the activity shifts toward creating reverse T3. As a result, T3 levels fall (or stay low) and reverse T3 levels rise, while T4 can be normal or mildly reduced. Calcitonin is not part of this pattern. So, the hormone that is elevated in euthyroid sick syndrome is reverse T3.

During illness, thyroid hormone metabolism shifts so that the inactive form becomes more prominent: more T4 is diverted to reverse T3 while the production of active T3 is reduced. This is due to changes in deiodinase enzymes that normally convert T4 to T3; in non-thyroidal illness, the activity shifts toward creating reverse T3. As a result, T3 levels fall (or stay low) and reverse T3 levels rise, while T4 can be normal or mildly reduced. Calcitonin is not part of this pattern. So, the hormone that is elevated in euthyroid sick syndrome is reverse T3.

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