Health resort treatment improved the neurosteroid profile in thyroidectomized women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to study the effect of climatotherapy and spa treatment on selected neuro- and immunomodulatory steroids known to affect well-being, and homocysteine, in a homogenous group of thyroidectomized women under standard substitution regime.


METHODS
Dehydroepiandrosterone, its precursors and metabolites, cortisol, major sex steroids, SHBG, and homocysteine were measured before and after three-weeks stay in a health resort Jeseník (Graefenberg) in Czech Republic. The studied group consisted of 21 women after total thyroidectomy which was performed at least 3 months before the admission to the spa resort. All patients received thyroid hormone substitution treatment which was not changed during their stay in that resort.


RESULTS
Out of the steroids investigated, five, namely dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, testosterone, 7beta-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone and cortisol were changed significantly after treatment. The most considerable was the decrease of cortisol and of homocysteine (p < 0.000 each).


CONCLUSIONS
Spa resort treatment of thyroidectomized women substituted with thyroid hormones resulted in significant, mostly beneficial effects on steroid spectrum. This effect was achieved without any use of psychopharmacs.
Jandova
D
D
Priessnitz Spa Resort, Jeseník, Czech Republic.
Bicikova
M
M
Hill
M
M
Hampl
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001452:Balneology; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood; D006294:Health Resorts; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000097:blood*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013256:Steroids / Q000097:blood*; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D006062:Gonadotropins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013256:Steroids; D006710:Homocysteine; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine; D006854:Hydrocortisone