Effect of treatment of hypothyroidism on the plasma concentrations of neuroactive steroids and homocysteine

Clin Chem Lab Med. 2001 Aug;39(8):753-7. doi: 10.1515/CCLM.2001.125.

Abstract

Autoimmune thyroiditis with hypothyroidism is frequently accompanied by symptoms of psychiatric disorders and atherogenic changes in lipid metabolism. Recent studies suggest that some neuroactive steroids and homocysteine are involved in the pathophysiology of both disorders. Homocysteine metabolism may be affected by some steroids. We were interested if the treatment of hypothyroidism would affect the above factors. We studied plasma concentrations of allopregnanolone, pregnenolone sulfate, dehydroepiandosterone and its sulfate, progesterone, estradiol and homocysteine in 14 patients (12 women, 2 men) during the 3-month treatment with levothyroxine. Steroids and thyroid function were monitored by measuring thyrotropin, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and levels of thyroid antimicrosomal antibodies and antibodies to thyroglobulin. We have found that with the restoration of the thyrotropin level, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and homocysteine levels decreased, but the levels of steroids were not significantly altered. Steroid concentrations correlated negatively with the level of thyroid antimicrosomal antibodies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / blood
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / blood
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / blood
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Female
  • Homocysteine / blood*
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / blood*
  • Hypothyroidism / drug therapy*
  • Hypothyroidism / therapy*
  • Male
  • Microsomes / immunology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregnanolone / blood
  • Pregnenolone / blood
  • Progesterone / blood
  • Thyrotropin / blood*
  • Thyroxine / blood
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use
  • Time Factors
  • Triiodothyronine / blood

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • pregnenolone sulfate
  • Triiodothyronine
  • Homocysteine
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone
  • Progesterone
  • Estradiol
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
  • Pregnenolone
  • Thyrotropin
  • Pregnanolone
  • Thyroxine