| Abstract | Patients with suprasellar lesions develop profound hypothalamic obesity and listlessness with no effective treatment. We added triiodothyronine (T(3)) supplementation in 3 such patients and present their response. All had previous nutritional counseling without benefit. All were treated for diabetes insipidus (DI) and hypopituitarism; serum free thyroxine (T(4)) level was normal. A 24-year-old woman (pineal tumor and astrocytoma) had weight gain (4.7 kg/yr for 3 years), cold intolerance, fatigue, dry skin, and constipation; after T(3), she lost 14 kg over 27 months and reported overall improvement. Her bone mineral density also improved. A 10.6-year-old boy (optic glioma) was gaining 6 kg/yr for 4 years; after T(3) supplement, he lost 4.3 kg over 11 months. A 12-year-old girl (mixed germ cell tumor) had weight gain (8.3 kg/yr for 3 years) and listlessness; after T(3), she lost 8.1 kg over 16 months and had improved alertness. All patients were asymptomatic despite supraphysiologic T(3) levels. We suggest that T(3) may serve as a simple and effective supplement, which can promote weight loss and improve the well being of these patients with hypothalamic obesity. |
| Authors | J K Fernandes, M J Klein, Joann L Ater, John F Kuttesch, Rena Vassilopoulou-Sellin
(Affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and the Division of Pediatrics, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.)
|
| Journal | Metabolism: clinical and experimental
(Metabolism)
Vol. 51
Issue 11
Pg. 1381-3
(Nov 2002)
ISSN: 0026-0495 United States |
| PMID | 12404183
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
|
| Copyright | Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved. |
| Chemical References |
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| Topics |
- Adult
- Brain Neoplasms
(complications)
- Child
- Female
- Humans
- Hypothalamic Diseases
(complications, drug therapy, etiology)
- Male
- Obesity
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Treatment Outcome
- Triiodothyronine
(therapeutic use)
- Weight Loss
|
