Focus on GH deficiency and thyroid function

Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Feb;31(1):71-78. doi: 10.1016/j.beem.2017.02.003. Epub 2017 Feb 24.

Abstract

The relationships between GH system and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis are complex and not yet fully understood. The reported effects of GH administration on thyroid status of GHD patients have been remarkably divergent. This review will focus on the main studies aimed to clarify the effects of GH on thyroid function, firstly going through the diagnosis of central hypothyroidism and its possible pitfalls, then elucidating the possible contexts in which GHD may develop and examining the proposed mechanisms at the basis of interactions between the GH-IGF-I system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis.

Keywords: L-T4 replacement therapy; central hypothyroidism; growth hormone deficient adults; recombinant hGH; thyroid function.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy
  • Human Growth Hormone / administration & dosage
  • Human Growth Hormone / deficiency*
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiopathology
  • Hypothyroidism / diagnosis
  • Hypothyroidism / physiopathology
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Male
  • Pituitary Hormones / deficiency
  • Thyroid Gland / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Pituitary Hormones
  • Human Growth Hormone
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I