Effects of thyroid hormones on serum levels of adipokines as studied in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma during thyroxine withdrawal

Thyroid. 2006 Apr;16(4):397-402. doi: 10.1089/thy.2006.16.397.

Abstract

Objective: Previous studies addressing the influence of thyroid hormones on serum levels of adipokines yielded conflicting results. We aimed to study the impact of short-term overt hypothyroidism on serum leptin, resistin, and adiponectin levels in an in vivo human model.

Design: Twenty-two women with differentiated thyroid carcinoma were studied the last day of their thyroxine-suppressive treatment, 4-7 days after withdrawal, and the day before whole-body scanning. Evaluations included serum thyroid hormone, leptin, resistin, and adiponectin concentrations, fasting glucose and insulin, lipid profiles, body temperature, body mass index, and total body fat mass.

Main outcomes: Thyroid function changed from subclinical or mild hyperthyroidism to normal free thyroxine and triiodothyronine levels, ending in overt hypothyroidism. Thyroxine withdrawal resulted in an increase in serum resistin (p = 0.007) and leptin (p = 0.006) concentrations, whereas adiponectin levels remain unchanged. A significant decrease in body temperature during thyroxine withdrawal was paralleled by a decrease in fasting glucose (p = 0.006) and insulin resistance (p = 0.033), which occurred despite an increase in estimated total body fat mass.

Conclusion: Thyroid hormones are important regulators of energy balance and intermediate metabolism, influencing the serum concentrations of leptin and resistin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiponectin / blood*
  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leptin / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Resistin / blood*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / blood*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Thyroid Function Tests
  • Thyroid Hormones / deficiency
  • Thyroid Hormones / physiology*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / blood*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use*
  • Whole Body Imaging

Substances

  • Adiponectin
  • Blood Glucose
  • Leptin
  • Resistin
  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Thyroxine