EFFECT OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I ON THE THYROID AXIS IN PATIENTS WITH LARON-TYPE DWARFISM AND HEALTHY-SUBJECTS

We have evaluated the effect of exogenous administration of IGF-I on the thyroid axis in four separate studies: (1) iv bolus injection; (2) single sc injection; (3) seven days' sc treatment, and (4) four months' treatment. Thirteen patients with Laron-type dwarfism (LTD) participated in the investigations. In studies 1 and 2, 10 healthy subjects were also included. Before and during long-term treatment (study 4) six LTD patients underwent a TRH test. IGF-I was administered in a dose of 75 mug . kg-1 iv or 120-150 mug . kg-1 sc. Single injections of IGF-I caused significant decreases of serum TSH in LTD patients (iv: 1.7 +/- 0.2 to 1.1 +/- 0.1 mU/l; sc: from 2.1 +/- 0.4 to 1.1 +/- 0.2; p < 0.0005). In controls the decrease was for iv from 1.2 +/- 0.2 to 0.8 +/- 0.2 mU/l (p < 0.02) and for sc from 2.0 +/- 0.5 to 0.8 +/- 0.2 mU/l (p < 0.05). Long-term administration of IGF-I induces a transitory decrease of both serum TSH and fT4, followed by a spontaneous rise to pretreatment or even higher values. No changes in T3 were observed. TSH stimulation by TRH was significantly augmented after four months of IGF-I treatment (p < 0.005). The effects of IGF-I can be explained by an early stimulation of somatostatin release causing a decrease in TSH and followed by the development of compensatory mechanisms. All changes were within the normal ranges, not causing abnormal thyroid function. As the clinical use of recombinant IGF-I extends for longer periods than those described, it is recommended that thyroid function is followed.