Effects of Recombinant Human Thyrotropin Administration on 24-Hour Arterial Pressure in Female Undergoing Evaluation for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Abstract

Objective. Thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH) receptors are expressed in endothelial cells. We investigated whether elevated TSH levels after acute recombinant TSH (rhTSH) administration may result in alterations in blood pressure (BP) in premenopausal women with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Designs. Thirty euthyroid DTC female patients were evaluated by rhTSH stimulation test (mean age 40.4 ± 8.6 years). A 24 h ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) monitoring (24 hr ABPM) was performed on days 2-3(D2-3). TSH was measured on day 1(D1), day 3(D3), and day 5(D5). Central blood pressure was evaluated on D3. Twenty-three patients were studied 1–4 weeks earlier (basal measurements). Results. TSH levels were D1: median 0.2 mU/L, D3: median 115.0 mU/L, and D5: median 14.6 mU/L. There were no significant associations between TSH on D1 and D3 and any BP measurements. Median D5 office-SBP and 24 h SBP, DBP, and central SBP were correlated with D5-TSH (P < 0.04). In those where a basal 24 h ABPM had been performed median pulse pressure was higher after rhTSH-test (P = 0.02). Conclusions. TSH, when acutely elevated, may slightly increase SBP, DBP, and central SBP. This agrees with previous reports showing positive associations of BP with TSH.

Recombinant Human Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Increases the Percentages of Natural Killer T Cells and B Lymphocytes in Human Peripheral Blood In Vivo

“…The functional meaning of TSH outside the thyroid gland is not fully determined. It has been suggested that TSH may act as a modulator, operating at multiple different systems and organs (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24). Under clinical conditions similar to the ones applied in our study, rhTSH was shown to influence serum ghrelin levels (19), as well as serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides without any significant changes of high and low lipoproteins (20).…”

“…Another study demonstrated that the serum level of platelet microparticles in athyroid patients rose fivefold after rhTSH stimulation (21). Exogenous rhTSH was also shown to have an impact on the cardiovascular system, where systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased 5 days after administration (22). What is more, rhTSH administration was associated with significant deterioration of renal perfusion and reduction in glomerular filtration (23).…”