Regular original article Serum IGF-1 changes associated with thyroid disorders

Background: Thyroid hormones are involved in the regulation of the GH/IGF axis. Thyroid abnormalities are accompanied with changes in intermediary metabolism including alteration in body weight, insulin resistance and lipid profile. So this study was undertaken to determine the potential relationship between IGF-1 and thyroid hormone in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients. Introduction: Thyroid hormones are involved in the regulation of IGF-1. It is a growth factor which is secreted from liver as a response to growth hormone, mediating the anabolic and linear growth promoting effect of pituitary GH protein. Material & Methods : A cross sectional study was performed on 100 patients between age group of 15-60 years, along with 50 age matched healthy Control group in J. L. N. hospital Ajmer. Serum T3 and TSH level were estimated by Radioimmunoassay (RIA) method, and serum Free T4 and serum IGF-1 level by ELISA of Bio-Rad pw40. Result: The decrease in serum IGF-1 level was observed statistically highly Significant (p<0.0001) in hypothyroid subjects and in hyperthyroid subjects (p<0.0001). There were significant correlations between IGF-1 and TSH in hypothyroid patients. Discussion: Disturbances in thyroid hormones in thyroid diseases have an essential effect on the levels of IGF-1, involved in the regulation of energy balance. It has many receptors in various tissues and manifests insulin-like effect as well; it functions in many metabolic pathways including energy metabolism. Conclusion: We concluded that measurement of IGF-1 possibly could prevent the false diagnosis of thyroid assessment and may offer more effective interventions to improve patients care and the economic aspect.