M. Angervo et al., THYROXINE TREATMENT INCREASES CIRCULATING LEVELS OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH-FACTOR BINDING PROTEIN-1 - A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY, Clinical endocrinology, 38(5), 1993, pp. 547-551
OBJECTIVE Thyroid hormones affect carbohydrate metabolism in the liver
, and hepatic insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) p
articipates in glucose counter-regulation, so we studied the effects o
f oral thyroxine on serum IGFBP-1. DESIGN The study was performed on a
placebo-controlled cross-over basis covering 3 months' thyroxine and
3 months' placebo administration. PATIENTS Eight patients taking antic
onvulsant medication and four patients with hypothalamic hypothyroidis
m were given thyroxine, 150-200 mug daily for 3 months, or placebo. ME
ASUREMENTS Serum IGFBP-1, sex hormone binding globulin, free T3 and fr
ee T4, TSH and IGF-I levels were measured after an overnight fast befo
re treatment, and at the end of each 3-month period. RESULTS Anticonvu
lsant medication had no significant effect on serum IGFBP-1. After 3 m
onths' thyroxine treatment the serum IGFBP-1 levels (69; 58-167 mug/l;
median and interquartile range, respectively) were significantly high
er than those after placebo treatment (44; 23-58 mug/l; P = 0.002), or
the pretreatment levels (54; 19-81 mug/l, P = 0.005). The IGFBP-1 lev
els rose in all 12 patients after thyroxine treatment, the median rise
being 2.1-fold compared to placebo levels. No change was found in ser
um IGF-I concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Oral thyroxine produces a rise in
serum IGFBP-1 level without a change in serum IGF-I concentration.