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Changes in the before and after thyroxine treatment levels of adipose tissue, leptin, and resistin in subclinical hypothyroid patients

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Summary

Background

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) occurs when serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations are raised and serum thyroid hormone concentrations are normal. The effect of SH on the proinflammatory adipose cytokine releasing visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is not clear. The aim of this study is to identify the difference between the pre and posttreatment levels of VAT, leptin, and resistin in SH patients.

Methods

There were 51 SH patients and 43 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects included in the study. Thyroid functions, biochemical tests, leptin, resistin, and visceral and subcutaneous fat measurements were made. The measurements were repeated in the SH group in the third month following L-thyroxin treatment.

Results

Initially, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, carotid artery intima-media thickness (mm), leptin, and resistin levels were significantly higher in the SH group compared to the controls, while the other parameters were similar. While no correlation was observed between TSH levels and adipokines, a positive correlation was detected between waist circumference and leptin levels (r = 0.549, p < 0.01). Visceral adipose tissue was positively correlated to age, waist circumference, and leptin levels, but negatively correlated to free thyroxin (T4) levels (r = 0.419, p = 0.009; r = 0.794, p < 0.01; r = 0.515, p < 0.01 and r = − 0.416, p = 0.009, respectively). A significant decrease was observed in VAT volume, leptin, and resistin levels of SH patients following levothyroxine treatment.

Conclusion

The reduced VAT volume, leptin, and resistin levels in SH patients following treatment may support the idea that TSH affects adipose tissue functions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Mugla Sıtkı Kocman University School of Medicine, Mugla, Turkey

    Gulhan Akbaba MD

  2. Clinics of Endocrinology and Diseases of Metabolism, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Dilek Berker MD,  Serhat Isık MD, Mazhar Muslum Tuna MD &  Serdar Guler MD

  3. Clinics of Radiology, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Suha Koparal MD & Murat Vural MD

  4. Clinics of Biochemistry, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Fatma Meric Yılmaz MD & Canan Topcuoglu MD

  5. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Diseases of Metabolism, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey

    Serdar Guler MD

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  1. Gulhan Akbaba MD
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Akbaba, G., Berker, D., Isık, S. et al. Changes in the before and after thyroxine treatment levels of adipose tissue, leptin, and resistin in subclinical hypothyroid patients. Wien Klin Wochenschr 128, 579–585 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-015-0865-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-015-0865-9

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