Serum ghrelin levels are increased in hypothyroid patients and become normalized by L-thyroxine treatment
Abstract
Context An interaction between ghrelin, which is implicated in the regulation of short- and long-term energy balance, and thyroid function has been reported in hyperthyroidism in which ghrelin levels are reversibly suppressed. We measured serum ghrelin levels and metabolic indices in hypothyroid patients before and after L-thyroxine replacement. Patients and methods Eleven patients were examined twice: 1) in the hypothyroid state and 2) after at least 2 months of euthyroidism. Ten healthy subjects served as a control group. Ghrelin was measured in conjunction with indirect calorimetry and a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Results Serum ghrelin levels were increased by 32% under basal conditions in the hypothyroid state (PRE) as compared with posttreatment (POST) (picograms per milliliter): 976.4 +/- 80.8 vs. 736.8 +/- 67.1 (P Conclusion Serum ghrelin levels are reversibly increased in hypothyroid patients. It remains to be investigated whether this represents a direct effect of iodothyronines on ghrelin secretion or clearance or a compensatory response to the abnormal energy metabolism in hypothyroid patients.
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Conflicting reports have emerged regarding overt hypothyroidism-associated ghrelin concentration levels where it has been found to be either decreased, increased, or not affected.
“Conflicting reports have emerged regarding overt hypothyroidism-associated ghrelin concentration levels where it has been found to be either decreased (Altinova et al., 2006), increased (Gjedde et al., 2008), or not affected (Tanda et al., 2009).”
From Thyroid disorders and gastrointestinal dysmotility: an old association (2024) · cites this paper as Gjedde et al., 2008
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- Authors
- Gjedde, S., Vestergaard, E. T., Gormsen, L. C., Riis, A. L. D., Rungby, J., Møller, N., Weeke, J., & Jørgensen, J. O. L.
- Affiliations
- Aarhus University Hospital (DK)
- Corresponding author
- Gjedde, Signe
- ORCID
- Venue
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Publisher
- The Endocrine Society
- Published
- 2008-06-01
- Volume
- 93
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 2277-2280
- ISSN
- 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
- 1945-7197
- OpenAlex
- W1999460980
- Cited by
- 44
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 2.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Novo Nordisk Fonden
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Growth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factors
- Keywords
- ghrelin, hypothyroidism, thyroxine replacement, thyroid function, energy balance, resting energy expenditure, respiratory quotient, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, iodothyronines, ghrelin secretion
- MeSH terms
- Basal Metabolism, Body Composition, Energy Metabolism, Fasting, Female, Humans, Hypothyroidism, Male, Thyroid Function Tests, Thyroid Gland, Thyroxine, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Ghrelin
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