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Endocrine
Published in: Endocrine 1/2021

Open Access 01-01-2021 | Insulins | Original Article

Standard hypothyroid treatment did not restore proper metabolic response to carbohydrate

Authors: Agnieszka Kozacz, Gilmara Gomes de Assis, Urszula Sanocka, Andrzej Wojciech Ziemba

Published in: Endocrine | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

Hypothyroidism is associated with a lower metabolic rate, impaired glucose tolerance, and increased responsiveness of sympathetic nervous system to glucose ingestion. The Levothyroxine (LT4) monotherapy is the standard treatment for hypothyroidism; however to what extent this treatment restores the patients’ metabolism has not been verified. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that standard LT4 therapy may not restore proper metabolic response to carbohydrate ingestion.

Methods

Energy expenditure, glucose tolerance, and catecholamine response to glucose ingestion were compared in 18 subjects with pharmacologically compensated hypothyroidism (PCH) and controls, at baseline and during oral glucose tolerance test conditions.

Results

Metabolic rate was significantly lower in PCH (P < 0.0001). Glucose tolerance was decreased in this group with no differences in insulin resistance indicators between both groups. Adrenergic activity (P < 0.05) as well as adrenergic reaction to glucose ingestion (P < 0.001) were stronger in PCH.

Conclusions

Standard treatment for hypothyroidism does not restore the normal metabolic reaction to carbohydrate which is observed in healthy people.
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Metadata
Title
Standard hypothyroid treatment did not restore proper metabolic response to carbohydrate
Authors
Agnieszka Kozacz
Gilmara Gomes de Assis
Urszula Sanocka
Andrzej Wojciech Ziemba
Publication date
01-01-2021
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Endocrine / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 1355-008X
Electronic ISSN: 1559-0100
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-020-02334-0

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