Thyroid hormones and treatment of obesity

Thyroid hormones have important thermogenic function. Nevertheless, thyroid dysfunctions are often associated with minor changes in body weight and fa t mass. On the other hand, both overfeeding and fasting have important effe cts on iodothyronine metabolism and regulation of deiodinase activity. Alth ough under debate, there are clinical and theoretical reasons to administer low-dose thyroid hormones (T3) in selected obese patients. This short revi ew deals with both pathophysiological and clinical aspects of thyroid hormo ne used in the therapy of obesity.