Thyroid Functions and Trace Elements in Pediatric Patients with Exogenous Obesity

Abstract

Obesity is a multifactorial disease developing following impairment of the energy balance. The endocrine system is known to be affected by the condition. Serum thyroid hormones and trace element levels have been shown to be affected in obese children. Changes in serum thyroid hormones may result from alterations occurring in serum trace element levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not changes in serum thyroid hormone levels in children with exogenous obesity are associated with changes in trace element levels. Eighty-five children diagnosed with exogenous obesity constituted the study group, and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy children made up the control group. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroglobulin (TG), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) levels in the study group were measured before and at the third and sixth months of treatment, and once only in the control group. Pretreatment fT4 levels in the study group rose significantly by the sixth month (p = 0.006). Zn levels in the patient group were significantly low compared to the control group (p = 0.009). Mn and Se levels in the obese children before and at the third and sixth months of treatment were significantly higher than those of the control group (p = 0.001, p = 0.001). In conclusion, fT4, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Se levels are significantly affected in children diagnosed with exogenous obesity. The change in serum fT4 levels is not associated with changes in trace element concentrations.

Serum Trace Elements Profile in Graves’ Disease Patients with or without Orbitopathy in Northeast China

“…Therefore, the trace elements in the body should be present in appropriate concentrations, and abnormal levels of trace metals can develop when the oxidation-antioxidation system fails [ 10 , 11 ]. It has been reported that thyroid gland is the organ with the highest levels of trace elements [ 12 ]. These elements have potential links with thyroid hormone metabolism, and any deficiency or excess can affect thyroid hormones homeostasis [ 3 , 13 – 15 ].…”

Selected Essential and Toxic Chemical Elements in Hypothyroidism—A Literature Review (2001–2021)

“…Typically, the contents of the chemical elements in relation to hypothyroidism were determined in serum [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ], blood [ 25 , 46 , 47 ], plasma [ 48 , 49 , 50 ] or urine [ 42 , 46 , 47 , 51 ]. The chemical, electrochemical, optical spectrometry, X-ray spectrometry, mass spectrometry, and nuclear methods are commonly used for the analyses.…”

“…The chemical, electrochemical, optical spectrometry, X-ray spectrometry, mass spectrometry, and nuclear methods are commonly used for the analyses. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) proved to be the most popular analytical technique used especially for Se, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Pb determinations [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 40 , 45 , 46 , 48 , 50 ]. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP MS) was applied for Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Pb, Cd, Cr, and F [ 30 , 34 , 39 , 43 , 47 ], whereas Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) for Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, respectively [ 25 , 52 ].…”

“…Current literature on this subject emphasizes and provides evidence that exposure to certain chemical elements (e.g., heavy metals), contributes to the etiopathogenesis of hypothyroidism and the autoimmune process. Despite the large number of studies conducted over many years [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ], there are still no clear conclusions regarding correlations between the concentrations of chemical elements and the occurrence of hypothyroidism and the intensified autoimmune process associated with it. The latest research is revealing new data, so there is a need to assess the current state of knowledge in this area.…”

Concentration of Selected Metals in Whole Blood, Plasma, and Urine in Short Stature and Healthy Children

“…Analytical methods can be employed in the study of the relation between the basic composition of body fluids and tissues, and the pathological conditions and general nutritional status in humans. The content of essential elements and toxic metals in human tissues and organs has been studied by many authors [7,8]. Heavy metals are known to cause a variety of health problems/diseases/injury, and mechanisms of their toxicity have been persistently investigated [9,10].…”