The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in women with differentiated thyroid cancer.
BACKGROUND
We studied the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in females with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and its sequelae on metabolism and cardiovascular risk.


RESULTS
Sixteen women were investigated with (1) morning, evening, and midnight cortisol and adrenocortophic hormone, (2) cortisol after overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test, (3) cortisol after corticotropin releasing hormone test, (4) oral glucose tolerance test with glucose and insulin estimations, and (5) ultrasound for carotid intima media thickness. A matched control group underwent similar investigations. None of the parameters was significantly different between patients and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Females with DTC have normal HPA-axis function and similar insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk compared to controls.
Chrisoulidou
Alexandra
A
Unit of Endocrinology and Endocrine Oncology, Theagenio Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. alexri@otenet.gr
Pazaitou-Panayiotou
Kalliopi
K
Georgiou
Eleni
E
Boudina
Maria
M
Lytras
Konstantinos
K
Iakovou
Ioannis
I
Vainas
Iraklis
I
Kaltsas
Gregory
G
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002277:Carcinoma; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000077273:Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone