Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of different doses of GH on thyroid metabolism, body composition and energy expenditure in GH deficient patients.
DESIGN: Eight GH deficient patients treated with thyroxine (age 21-39) were studied after 4 weeks without GH followed by 3 consecutive 4 weeks periods, where the patients received GH in a fixed order 1, 2, and 4 IU m−2 sc. per day. At the end of each period the patients were hospitalized for a 24 h examination.
RESULTS: Mean 24-hour levels of GH (μg/l) were 0.9 ±0.1 (0 GH], 2.4 ±0.3 (1IUm−2), 3.6 ± 0.5(2IUm−2)and 6.30 ±0.9 (4IUm−2) (p <0.01). Serum IGF-I (μg/l) levels increased dose-dependently from 61 ± 21 to 206 ±65, 260 ±70 and 468 ±171 respectively (p<0.05). Serum TT3 (mmol/l) levels increased from 1.13 ±0.18 to 1.66 ±0.21, 1.85 ±0.20 and 1.86 ±0.21 (p = 0.03) respectively. A corresponding significant decrease in serum rT3 (ng/ml) was observed. Serum TT4 (mmol/I) decreased from 103 ± 8 to 102 ± 8, 86 ±7 and 77 ±6 (p = 0.04). Similar changes in serum FT3 and FT4 were observed. Serum TSH decreased during the study: 0.407 ±0.193 (0 GH), 0.078 ±0.030 1IUm−2), 0.067 ± 0.027 (2IUm−2) and 0.036 ±0.013 (4IUm−2) (p<0.0l). Likewise mean diurnal serum TSH levels were lower during GH (0.065 ±0.033 4IU m−2) (0.546 a: 0.246 O GH) (p <0.01). GH caused a significant increase in resting energy expenditure (EE): 1595 ±148 (94% of predicted value) (O GH), 1673 ± 168 (99%) (1IUm−2), 1917 ± 127 (113%) (2IUm−2) and 1889 ±157 (112%) (4IUm−2) (p<0.05). Fat mass was increased without GH therapy and decreased dosedependently during the study.
CONCLUSION: T3 and EE are subnormal in GH untreated GH deficient patients. GH increased peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 in T4 substituted GH deficient patients in a dosedependent way. GH lowered TSH levels. GH increased energy expenditure and decreased fat mass also in a dosedependent way.
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Møller, J., Jørgensen, J., Lauersen, T. et al. EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT GH DOSES ON THYROID METABOLISM, ENERGY EXPENDITURE AND BODY COMPOSITION IN THYROXINE SUBSTITUTED GH DEFICIENT PATIENTS. Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S62 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00352
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00352