Thyroid

With thyroid levels decreasing with age, patients may experience a variety of symptoms, from increased cholesterol and body fat to reduced metabolism, fatigue, depression and sexual dysfunction. This section presents studies exploring hormonal optimization for thyroid issues, including rhGH treatment in GHD patients. Review current research and medical articles on thyroid issues to better help your aging patients.

What’s in a Name? Reflections on the (Suddenly) Controversial ‘Metabolic Syndrome’.pdf

According to this article, for many of us, it’s easier to think about multiple problems as having one root cause, or at least a common underlying complex pathophysiology. Hypertension, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and central obesity occur in the same patients more often than by chance alone.
Brieztke, S. (2006, March). What’s in a name? Reflections on the (suddenly) controversial ‘metabolic syndrome’ [Electronic version]. Endocrine Today, 4(3), 4-5. Retrieved November 16, 2006.

Multicenter Study on the Prevalence of Sexual Symptoms in Male Hypo and Hyperthyroid Patients.pdf

This study concludes that most patients with thyroid hormone disorders experience some sexual dysfunctions, which can be reversed by normalizing thyroid hormone levels. Despite the associated changes in sex hormone levels, the high prevalence of ejaculatory disorders and their prompt reversibility suggest a direct involvement of thyroid hormones in the physiology of ejaculation.
Carani, C., Isidori, A.M., Granata, A., Carosa, E., Maggi, M., Lenzi, A., et al. (2005). Multicenter study on the prevalence of sexual symptoms in male hypo and hyperthyroid patients [Electronic version]. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 90(12), 6472-6479. Retrieved February 17, 2006.

Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Treatment at Low Doses Does Not Significantly Change Thyroid Function in Growth Hormone Deficient Adults.pdf

In this study, all parameters (except IGF1) did not show any variation during and after rhGH treatment at low doses. The alterations of T3 and T4 metabolism, in the sense of a T3 increase and a T4 reduction, caused sometimes by rhGH treatment, could be due to the higher doses used and therefore should be considered another side effect, like artrhalgia, fluid retention, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.
Amato, G., Izzo, G., Salzano, I. & Bellastella, A. (1996). Recombinant human growth hormone treatment at low doses does not significantly change thyroid function in growth hormone deficient adults [Electronic version]. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 19(8), 563-566. Retrieved September 28, 2005.

Selenium, Zinc, and Thyroid Hormones in Healthy Subjects: Low T3/T4 Ratio in the Elderly is Related to Impaired Selenium Status.pdf

This study concluded that reduced peripheral T4 conversion is related to impaired Se status in the elderly.
Olivieri, O., Girelli, D., Stanzial, A.M., Rossi, L., Bassi, A. & Corrocher, R. (1996). Selenium, zinc, and thyroid hormones in healthy subjects: low T3/T4 ratio in the elderly is related to impaired selenium status [Electronic version]. Biological Trace Element Research, 51(1), 31-41. Retrieved September 28, 2005.

Anterior Pituitary Function in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis.pdf

In this study, a combined test for total anterior pituitary reserve was performed in 10 patients with newly diagnosed untreated RA. Before and after stimulation with the respective hypothalamic releasing hormones, RA patients showed no difference in plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, prolactin (PRL) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) when compared to healthy controls.
Templ, E., Koeller, M., Riedl, M., Wagner, O., Graninger, W. & Luger, A. (1996). Anterior pituitary function in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis [Electronic version]. British Journal of Rheumatology, 35(4), 350-356. Retrieved October 25, 2005.

Calorigenic Effects of Growth Hormone: The Role of Thyroid Hormones.pdf

This study addressed whether 1) the calorigenic effects of GH administration could be reproduced by oral supplementation of T3 in a dose selected to mimic the GH-induced increase in peripheral T3 levels; and 2) combined GH and T3 administration have a synergistic effect on resting energy expenditure (REE). The results suggest that the calorigenic effect of GH is not mediated solely through increased conversion of T4 to T3.
Wolthers, T., Groftne, T., Moller, N., Christiansen, J.S., Orskov, H., Weeke, J., et al. (1996). Calorigenic effects of growth hormone: the role of thyroid hormones [Electronic version]. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 81(4), 1416-1419. Retrieved January 18, 2006.

Increase in Renal Plasma Flow and Glomerular Filtration Rate During Growth Hormone Treatment May Be Mediated By Insulin-Like Growth Factor I.pdf

In this study, IGF-1 levels were examined in a man with hypothalamic growth hormone-deficiency before and during the first six days of treatment with daily growth hormone injections. 
Hirschberg, R.R. & Kopple, J.D. (1988). Increase in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate during growth hormone treatment may be mediated by insulin-like growth factor I [Electronic version]. American Journal of Nephrology, 8(3), 249-254. Retrieved May 18, 2005.