Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Elevated morning plasma cortisol is associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors in metabolic syndrome. Epidemiological studies have also reported a positive association between plasma cortisol and coronary heart disease (CHD), although not all estimates are statistically significant (OR 1.10 (95% CI 0.97 to 1.25)) (Davey Smith et al. Circulation 2005). Importantly, observational studies are unable to infer causality and results may be confounded.<...

Background: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) allow us to study effects of genetic variation on thyroid hormone levels. Phosphodiesterase 8B (PDE8B) is a protein responsible for cAMP generation, found in thyroid and brain tissue, but not normal pituitary tissue. Variation at this locus has been reported to influence TSH levels, but its effect on T3 and T4 had not been studied in the general population. Deiodinase 1 (DIO1) is known to influence T...

Importance: Thyroid hormone is essential for cognitive development. The Thr92Ala substitution in deiodonase-2 appears to reduce intracellular availability of active thyroid hormone. Individuals with low-normal serum thyroid hormone levels and this substitution might have insufficient intracellular thyroid hormone for optimal cognitive development.Objective: To explore whether individuals with low thyroid hormone bioavailability – free thyroxine in t...