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Horm Metab Res 2010; 42(4): 285-289
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1246184
Humans, Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Gender, Age, Puberty, and BMI Related Changes of TSH and Thyroid Hormones in Schoolchildren Living in a Long-standing Iodine Replete Area

I. Kaloumenou1 , L. H. Duntas2 , M. Alevizaki3 , E. Mantzou2 , D. Chiotis1 , C. Mengreli1 , I. Papassotiriou4 , G. Mastorakos2 , C. Dacou-Voutetakis1
  • 1University of Athens, Department of Pediatrics, Athens, Greece
  • 2Evgenidion Hospital, Endocrine Unit, Athens, Greece
  • 3Alexandra Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Athens, Greece
  • 4Evgenidion Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Athens, Greece
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Publication History

received 27.08.2009

accepted 22.12.2009

Publication Date:
29 January 2010 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of the work was to assess thyroid function in children and adolescents in an iodine replete area and to explore possible effects of age, gender, puberty, and adiposity. Thyrotropin (TSH), total triiodothyronine (T3), total thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (FT4), and the T4/T3 ratio were determined for 440 schoolchildren (200 boys and 240 girls), aged 5–18 years, living in an iodine replete region. Body Mass Index (BMI), BMI standard deviation score (BMI-SDS), and Body Surface Area (BSA) were calculated. In girls there was a negative correlation of TSH, T3, and FT4 values with age. In boys there was a negative correlation only of T3 values with age. Girls had lower TSH, T4, and T3 values, whereas boys had only lower T3 values at puberty compared to the prepubertal stage. Girls had lower TSH values than boys (p<0.03) only at puberty. BMI-SDS in boys and girls were 0.21 and 0.03, respectively. BMI-SDS was not related to TSH, T4, or T3 in either gender, whereas it was negatively related to T4/T3 ratio in boys and to FT4 in girls. We conclude that estrogens may exert a suppressive effect on the pituitary-thyroid axis after puberty. TSH values are not correlated with BMI-SDS, whereas T4/T3 ratio in boys and FT4 in girls are negatively correlated with BMI-SDS.

Key words

schoolchildren - gender - TSH - puberty - adiposity - BMI

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Correspondence

L. H. Duntas

Evgenidion Hospital – Endocrine Unit

Papadiamantopolou Street 20

11528 Athens

Greece

Phone: +30 210 674 8878

Fax: +30 210 675 6718

Email: ledunt@otenet.gr