Elements in Erythrocytes of Population with Different Thyroid Hormone Status

Abstract

The contents of elements K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, and Rb in erythrocytes of 78 cases with different thyroid hormone status have been measured by proton-induced X-ray emission and neutron activation analysis. According to the status of thyroid hormones T3, T4, TSH, FT3, and FT4 detected by radioimmunoassay, the experiment subjects were divided into four groups (i.e., hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, critical [one of thyroid hormones was abnormal], and normal). Elements contents and hormones levels of four groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and correlation using an SPSS/PC statistical package. The results showed that the Se contents of four groups were not significantly different (p<0.05). Zn content of hypothyroid group was significantly higher than those of hyperthyroid and critical groups. The Zn content of the normal group was higher than that of the hypothyroid group and lower than that of the hyperthyroid and critical groups. In the hyperthyroid group, there were significant correlations between elements contents and thyroid hormones levels (except TSH), but not between elements contents and levels of thyroid hormones. However, in the hypothyroid group, relatively strong correlations have been found between elements contents and thyroid hormones levels, especially between Zn and the T3/T4 ratio, and between Zn and TSH.

Changes in the Serum Levels of Trace Elements Before and After the Operation in Thyroid Cancer Patients

“…Copper metabolism in the blood and tissues has already been shown to change in thyroid diseases [23]. Additionally, thyroid cancer patients were reported to have elevated blood copper concentrations [12,24] and iron deficiency was reported to alter copper levels in the rat brain tissue [10]. Elevated serum copper levels we found in our study are consistent with the results of the studies cited above.…”

“…As such, selenium is of pivotal importance in the modulation of the regulatory role of thyroid hormones in the metabolism [28,29]. It was noted that altered thyroid hormone activity caused important changes in selenium levels [10] and selenium deficiency posed a risk for the regulatory functions of thyroid hormones [11]. Furthermore, it was The differences between different superscripted letters in the same column are statistically significant (p < 0.05) reported that thyroid cancer patients had significantly lower concentrations of selenium and zinc in thyroid tissue and that these elements might have a part in the carcinogenic process [12].…”

“…Consequently, it was shown that suboptimal or supraoptimal dietary zinc intake might influence the thyroid hormone metabolism and zinc deficiency had a synergistic effect on goiter development [3]. It was noted that altered thyroid hormone activity led to significant changes in selenium levels [9,10] and selenium deficiency posed a risk for the regulatory functions of thyroid hormones [11]. It was also reported that selenium and zinc concentrations in the thyroid tissue of thyroid cancer patients were critically low and these elements might have a part in the carcinogenic process [12].…”

Interaction of Copper with Iron, Iodine, and Thyroid Hormone Status in Goitrous Patients

“…The relatively strong positive correlations have been found between Cu and TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels [31,45]. The present study showed a significantly higher urinary Cu excretion in GMPs and GFPs than control subjects and a significant correlation have been found between urinary Cu level and TSH, FT3, and FT4 levels ( Table 6).…”

Thyroid Disorders—Assessments of Trace Elements, Clinical, and Laboratory Parameters

“…The mutual interaction between thyroid physiology and trace elements presumably includes thyroid hormones, which induced alterations in trace element bioavailability and distribution and, conversely, trace element influence on thyroid hormones secretion and activity [21]. Several studies confirmed low erythrocyte zinc concentration in hyperthyroidism, caused by inhibition of zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase-I synthesis in erythrocytes at high concentrations of thyroid hormones [22][23][24]. As erythrocytes have long half-life, zinc concentration in erythrocytes is regarded as a suitable marker for distinguishing between preexisting and transient hyperthyroidism, whereas the clinical implications and the use of the changes of serum Cu and Zn as a diagnostic tool for evaluation of different thyroid status are still a controversial issue, and the influence of these elements (Cu, Zn) on cancer pathogenesis is also equivocal.…”