Plasma FGF21 levels are increased in patients with hypothyroidism independently of lipid profile

• Published in: Endocrine Journal 2013, Vol.60(8), pp.977-983
• Main Authors: Lee, Yenna, Park, Young Joo, Ahn, Hwa Young, Lim, Jung Ah, Park, Kyoung Un, Choi, Sung Hee, Park, Do Joon, Oh, Byung-Chul, Jang, Hak C., Yi, Ka Hee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipocytokine; Adult; Body Mass Index; Cholesterol - blood; Cholesterol, LDL - blood; Female; FGF21; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Humans; Hyperlipidemia; Hyperlipidemias - blood; Hypothyroidism; Hypothyroidism - blood; Lipids - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Subclinical hypothyroidism; Triglycerides - blood
• ISSN: 0918-8959; 1348-4540
• DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.EJ12-0427

Thyroid hormone is a potent regulator of metabolic and energy homeostasis implicated in various metabolic diseases. Fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21) is a systemic metabolic regulator known to modulate various biological functions similar to the actions of thyroid hormone. We investigated the differences in plasma FGF21 concentrations in patients with varying thyroid function. Ninety drug-naïve subjects who underwent thyroid evaluation at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital were enrolled and classified into euthyroid, subclinical hypothyroid, and overtly hypothyroid groups. Biochemical markers and plasma FGF21 levels were measured and analyzed. The mean age of the subjects was 42.6 ± 9.1 years. The mean body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and fasting glucose concentrations were similar between groups. Overtly hypothyroid subjects exhibited significantly higher concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol than the other groups (p