[Plasma fibronectin level in thyroid disease]

Fibronectins are widespread components of connective tissues and their production is partly under hormonal control. A study was undertaken to reveal the influence of thyroid diseases on plasma fibronectin level. It is stated that compared with a euthyroid control group (n = 33; 436 +/- 82 micrograms/ml) plasma fibronectin content is significantly higher in untreated, overt hyperthyroidism (n = 27; 1036 +/- 389 micrograms/ml), while its plasma level is lower in hypothyroidism (n = 18; 230 +/- 123 micrograms/ml). Data hint to the possibility that the measurement of plasma fibronectin level may yield a help to assess the effect of thyroid hormones at target organ (connective tissue) level.