Day-time changes for pituitary-thyroid hormones denote a rhythmic structure not detectable in elderly subjects.
The day-time concentrations of TSH, T3, T4, FT3 and FT4 were investigated in clinically healthy volunteers, 20 young individuals, aged from 20 to 27 years, and 12 elderly subjects, aged from 70 to 81 years. Nocturnal sampling was purposely avoided in order to eliminate the interindividual differences in sleep patterns. The day-time series were analysed by means of cosinor analysis to interpolate the best-fitting sinusoidal wave that covers the day-night period. The reconstruction of the circadian sinusoidal wave was validated for TSH, T3, T4, FT3 and FT4 in young subjects, and, with limitation, for T4 in elderly individuals. The findings suggest that the day time patterns of TSH, T3, FT4 and FT3 in elderly subjects are characterized by a dyschronism that is not detectable in young subjects. The investigation of the day-time concentrations is suggested as a cost-effective tool for exploring the circadian cycle of the pituitary-thyroid hormones in aged people.
Cugini
P
P
Re
M
M
Gasbarrone
L
L
Canova
R
R
Cianetti
A
A
Battisti
P
P
Di Palma
L
L
Leone
G
G
Giovannini
C
C
Clemenzia
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood*
D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine