Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the effect of growth hormone (GH) therapy on thyroid functions and thyroid size in children with GH deficiency. Methods: Thyroid functions and size were measured before and 3 months after initiation of GH therapy (0.6 IU/kg/week, given subcutaneously) in 16 children with GH deficiency. Results: A slight increase in triiodothyronine (T3) ant the T3/T4 (thyroxine) ratio and a decrease in T4, free T4, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, and a slight decrease in thyroid volume were found, however, there were no significant differences before and during the therapy (p > 0.05) except one patient who had developed central hypothyroidism. Conclusion: Careful monitoring of thyroid functions should be done before and during the therapy, since GH treatment may alter the thyroid hormones or may 'unmask' an unidentified hypothyroidism.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 77-79 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Annals of Medical Sciences |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - 1996 |
Keywords
- Growth hormone
- Thyroid hormones
- Thyroid size
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine