Effect of a single dose of glucocorticoid on the diurnal variations of TSH, thyroxine, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, 3,3'5'-triiodothyronine and cortisol in normal men.
Plasma thyrotropin (TSH) and cortisol concentrations were suppressed immediately after an intravenous bolus dose of 8 mg betamethasone in 6 male subjects. The circadian variations of these hormones disappeared for 40 hr (TSH) and 44 hr (cortisol). Plasma thyroxine (T4), 3, 5, 3'-triiodothyronine (T3), 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3) levels did not show diurnal variations before betamethasone administration. Plasma T3 levels decreased to 66% of the basal levels 20 hr after batamethasone administration, whereas plasma reverse T3 levels increased to 163% of the basal levels at 24 hr. These changes were reversed by 3 to 5 days after betamethasone. The earlier recovery of the diurnal rhythm of TSH than that of cortisol suggests that the TSH rhythm is not under the direct control of circulating cortisol.
D000328:Adult; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood*; D014285:Triiodothyronine, Reverse / Q000097:blood*
D014284:Triiodothyronine; D014285:Triiodothyronine, Reverse; D013972:Thyrotropin; D001623:Betamethasone; D013974:Thyroxine; D006854:Hydrocortisone