Glucose induced changes of thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃) plasma levels in obese children before and after hypocaforic diet and fasting

Abstract

To clarify the influence of a glucose load (Gl) on the thermogenetic effective thyroid hormones T₄ and T₃ plasma levels of obese children were studied after oral and intravenous glucose load during the postprandial period. T₄-values decreased by 31% in a group of 14 obese children (overweight 17-100%) 60 min. after oral G1. This change was associated with an increase of T₃/T₄-quotient to 50-60% 60 min. after i.v. G1 T₄ -values also were reduced 15,5% in normal weight (5) and 14% in 40 obese children. After feeding a diet of 600-1000 Kcal/die (30% protein, 45% carbohydrate, 25% fat) for a period of 21 days in 14 obese children T₃-values decreased after oral G1. T₃/T₄ quotient was diminished to 69,4% after 60 min. After a 5-7 days fasting period T₄ increased significantly (p 0,001) in 15 obese children. In a group of patients with an overweight of 40-60% also a significant T₄-increase was found after i.v. G1, but not in a group with an overweight of 21-40%. It is concluded that glucose stimulates and fasting and a hypocaloric diet reduce the peripheral T₄/T₃ conversion in obese children.

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