DESIGN: Hypothyroid group showed significantly decreased serum levels of
ghrelin and
ghrelin=body mass index (BMI) compared to euthyroid group (31.9 +/- 21.5 pg/mL vs. 50.5 +/- 34.8 pg/mL, p < 0.001; and 1.24 +/- 0.93 vs. 2.12 +/- 1.53, p < 0.0001). In hypothyroid group, 6 months
after treatment,
ghrelin levels and
ghrelin/BMI remained lower than euthyroid group (33.2 +/- 21.1 pg/mL vs. 50.5 +/- 34.8 pg/mL, p < 0.001; and 1.27 +/- 0.86 vs. 2.12 +/- 1.53, p < 0.0001).
Ghrelin levels were decreased in hypothyroid patients with high
thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) titre compared to hypothyroid patients with low TPOAb titre (19.1 +/- 23.1 pg/ mL vs. 35.3 +/- 17.4 pg/mL, p < 0.01).
Ghrelin levels correlated positively with free
triiodothyronine (FT3) and free
thyroxine (FT4), and negatively with age,
thyroglobulin antibody (TAb), TPOAb, total
cholesterol (T-C),
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (
LDL-C),
very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and
triglycerides (TG) in hypothyroid group. In euthyroid group, circulating
ghrelin levels correlated negatively with age, FT3, FT4, TG, and VLDL-C levels. No significant correlation was observed between
ghrelin and homeostasis model assessment for
insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and between
ghrelin and quantitative
insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) in both groups. Regression analysis revealed that FT3 level is the most important predictor of
ghrelin levels.
CONCLUSION: