Description

In clinical terms, cirrhosis is described as are either "compensated" or "decompensated." Decompensation means cirrhosis complicated by one or more of the following features: jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), or bleeding varices. Ascites is the usual first sign. Hepatorenal syndrome, hyponatremia, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis are also features of decompensation, but in these patients, ascites invariably occurs first. Compensated cirrhotic patients have none of these features.

The liver plays an important role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones, as it is the most important organ in the peripheral conversion of tetraiodothyronine (T4) to T3 by Type 1 deiodinase.

T4 and T3 regulate the basal metabolic rate of all cells, including hepatocytes, and thereby modulate hepatic function. The liver metabolizes the THS and regulates their systemic endocrine effects. Thyroid diseases may perturb liver function; liver disease modulates thyroid hormone metabolism; and a variety of systemic diseases affect both the organs.