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- Title
TSH-lowering effect of metformin in type 2 diabetic patients: differences between euthyroid, untreated hypothyroid, and euthyroid on L-T4 therapy patients.
- Authors
Cappelli C; Rotondi M; Pirola I; Agosti B; Gandossi E; Valentini U; De Martino E; Cimino A; Chiovato L; Agabiti-Rosei E; Castellano M; Cappelli, Carlo; Rotondi, Mario; Pirola, Ilenia; Agosti, Barbara; Gandossi, Elena; Valentini, Umberto; De Martino, Elvira; Cimino, Antonio; Chiovato, Luca
- Abstract
<bold>Objective: </bold>To assess the interplay between metformin treatment and thyroid function in type 2 diabetic patients.<bold>Research Design and Methods: </bold>The acute and long-term effects of metformin on thyroid axis hormones were assessed in diabetic patients with primary hypothyroidism who were either untreated or treated with levothyroxine (L-T4), as well as in diabetic patients with normal thyroid function.<bold>Results: </bold>No acute changes were found in 11 patients with treated hypothyroidism. After 1 year of metformin administration, a significant thyrotropin (TSH) decrease (P < 0.001) was observed in diabetic subjects with hypothyroidism who were either treated (n = 29; from 2.37 +/- 1.17 to 1.41 +/- 1.21 mIU/l) or untreated (n = 18; 4.5 +/- 0.37 vs. 2.93 +/- 1.48) with L-T4, but not in 54 euthyroid subjects. No significant change in free T4 (FT4) was observed in any group.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Metformin administration influences TSH without change of FT4 in patients with type 2 diabetes and concomitant hypothyroidism. The need for reevaluation of thyroid function in these patients within 6-12 months after starting metformin is indicated.
- Publication
Diabetes Care, 2009, Vol 32, Issue 9, p1589
- ISSN
0149-5992
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.2337/dc09-0273