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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1983; 82(5): 173-177
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1210273
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© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Thyroid Function in Altered Nutritional State

G. de Rosa, S. Della Casa, S. M. Corsello, M. P. Ruffilli, E. de Rosa1 , E. Pasargiklian
  • Institute of Endocrinology (Prof. E. Pasargiklian), Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome/Italy
  • 1Institute of Psychiatry (Prof. L. Ancona), Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome/Italy
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Publication History

1982

Publication Date:
17 July 2009 (online)

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Summary

We studied plasma concentrations of TSH (basal and after TRH), thyroxine (T4), 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3), 3,3′,5′-triiodothyronine (reverse T3; rT3), free T4 and free T3 in thirty obese subjects, twenty patiens with anorexia nervosa, fifteen malnourished subjects and twenty normal weight subjects.

Total serum T4 values were similar for the four groups of subjects while serum free T4 values were slightly increased in anorexia nervosa and normal in the other groups.

Serum total and free T3 levels were both significantly decreased in anorexia nervosa and malnutrition, and within normal limits in obesity. The mean serum rT3 level was increased in anorexia nervosa and malnutrition while was reduced in obesity. A delay in peak response of TSH to TRH stimulation (30′ rather than 20′) was noted in anorexia and malnourished patients.

The results suggest that these alterations of serum iodothyronines are due to a different peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 according to nutritional status.

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