Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies
Published on: January 10, 2025
Effects of depot growth hormone replacement on thyroid function and volume in adults with congenital isolated growth
N T F Leite1, R Salvatori, M R S Alcântara
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil.
Background:
Conflicting data exist on the effects of GH replacement therapy (GHRT) on thyroid function and thyroid volume (TV) in GH-deficient (GHD) patients.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of GHRT on thyroid function and TV in adults with congenital lifetime isolated GHD (IGHD).
Subjects And Methods:
We studied 20 GH-naïve adults with IGHD due to a homozygous mutation of the GHRH-receptor gene at baseline, after 6-month depot- GH replacement therapy (pGH), and 6-month washout (6mo). Total T(3), free T(4) (FT(4)), reverse T(3) (rT(3)), TSH, IGF-I, SHBG, and TV were measured; body surface area-corrected TV (CTV) was calculated.
Results:
IGF-I and T(3) increased pGH. T(3) levels remained elevated at 6mo. GHRT did not significantly change FT(4), rT(3), TSH, and SHBG. TV and CTV increased pGH and remained elevated at 6mo.
Conclusions:
GHRT in IGHD adults caused an increase in serum T(3) levels and TV, suggesting an important role of the GH-IGF-I axis in thyroid function.
Related Concept Videos
Functions of Thyroid Hormones
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
Goiter
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The iodine is then...
Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Hyperthyroidism I: Introduction
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...