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Horm Metab Res 1986; 18(5): 349-351
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1012312
Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart · New York

The Renin-Angiotensin System in Hypothyroidism of Short Duration

A. N. Elias1 , T. Kyaw1 , L. J. Valenta2 , H. Meshkinpour3
  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of California, Irvine, California, U.S.A.
  • 2Endocrine and Diabetes Clinic of North County, Oceanside, California, U.S.A.
  • 3Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of California, Irvine, California, U.S.A.
Further Information

Publication History

1984

1985

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Summary

In six hypothyroid patients (2 male, 4 females, ages 22 through 59 years), plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone (Aldo) were measured when the patients were euthyroid on levothyroxine therapy and one month after the therapy was stopped. Colonic mucosal potential differences were measured during thehypothyroid and euthyroid stages, and catecholamine sensitivity was determined by the blood pressure response to infused norepinephrine. Significant differences were observed in the PRA and aldosterone concentrations which were 4.1±2.5 ng/ml/h and 9.4±5.9 ng/dl, respectively in the hypothyroid stage and 6.9±2.3 ng/ml/h and 15.2±7.3 ng/dl, respectively when the patients were made euthyroid. The colonic mucosal potential differences (which reflect increased endogenous mineralocorticoid activity), became more electronegative after correction of hypothyroidism (-16.8±7.5 mV vs -32±18.2 mV; P < 0.04) concentrations. Statistically significant decreases in norepinephrine pressor effects were observed in hypothyroid patients when compared to the euthyroid state (7.4 ± 2.3 vs 10.9 ± 1.9 μg/ng/min; P < 0.01). It is concluded that patients with hypothyroidism have a hormonal pattern reminiscent of “low renin hypertension”, and exhibit decreased sensitivity to catecholamines. Such changes are corrected when the patients become euthyroid on levothyroxine therapy.

Key-Words

Hypothyroidism - Plasma Renin Activity - Aldosterone Hypertension - Mucosal Potential Difference

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