Endocrine Abstracts

Activation of the corticotropic axis seems to affect the thyroid axis at the central level and/or by a direct effect on the thyroid gland. The aim of this study is to investigate a possible disruption of the adrenal cortical function that would cause dysthyroidism in a population of women by assaying plasma cortisol. The study was carried out in a human population divided into three subpopulations according to plasma levels in TSH, FT4 and FT3: the subpopulation with euthyroidism (control), the subpopulation with hyperthyroidism (Hyper) And the subpopulation with hypothyroidism (Hypo). Hormone levels were determined by radioimmunoassays (FT3, FT4 and cortisol) and radioimmunometric (TSH). Variations in plasma cortisol content in subpopulations with dysthyroids have been observed and are in favor of an interrelation between the two glands. These results could be explained by the fact that factors responsible for the activation of the corticotropic axis are capable of causing structural and functional changes in the thyroid as a function of the nature of the stimulus, Its intensity and its duration.

Keywords: Glucocorticoids, thyroid, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, cortisol.