Strong Positive Correlation between TSH and Ghrelin in Euthyroid Non-Growth Hormone-Deficient Children with Short Stature

Abstract

The growth processes in children depend on the proper functioning of some hormones and growth factors. Recently, a positive correlation between ghrelin and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) in patients with hyper- and hypothyroidism was proved. Moreover, in hypothyroid rats with high ghrelin concentration, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) secretion was suppressed. We analyzed these relationships in euthyroid prepubertal children with idiopathic short stature (ISS). The analysis comprised concentration of ghrelin, GH in stimulating tests and during the night, as well as IGF-I, TSH, free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) in 85 children with ISS (36 girls, 49 boys) aged 9.65 ± 3.02 years (mean ± SD). A strong positive correlation between ghrelin and TSH was confirmed (r = +0.44, p < 0.05). A higher ghrelin but lower nocturnal GH and lower IGF-I were observed in children with higher normal TSH concentration than those in children with lower normal TSH. Interestingly, alterations of TSH level were without any impact on FT4 and FT3 concentrations. Summing up, in ISS prepubertal euthyroid children, ghrelin and TSH secretion are closely related. On the other hand, the higher the TSH, the lower the nocturnal GH and IGF-I levels. The contribution of the above findings in deterioration of growth processes requires further studies.

Contribution of Ghrelin to the Pathogenesis of Growth Hormone Deficiency

“…However, this relationship does not only apply to persons with hyper or hypothyroidism and does not have to be related only to the patient's metabolic state. Accordingly, a strong positive correlation between ghrelin and TSH was observed in euthyroid children with normal body mass and idiopathic (non-GH deficit) short stature [124]. Moreover, it was confirmed that the higher ghrelin and TSH were, the lower nocturnal GH secretion and lower the IGF-1 were.…”

“…Moreover, it was confirmed that the higher ghrelin and TSH were, the lower nocturnal GH secretion and lower the IGF-1 were. However, this observation was without any impact on FT4 concentrations [124]. Ghrelin receptors were found on human thyrocytes; the indirect suppression effect of ghrelin on thyrocytes was documented by Barington et al, in 2017 [125].…”

“…It is possible that relative hypothyroidism disrupts the ghrelin-GHS-R axis impact on the stimulation of GH secretion, as GH secretion at night is disturbed in these children. At the same time, GH concentration obtained during GH stimulation tests, routinely used in GHD diagnostics, are normal [124].…”

A Clinical Study on the Treatment of Children’s Short Stature with Auxiliary Comprehensive Management Combined with Growth Patch

“…ere are many factors that cause the disease. Growth hormone (GH) deficiency, hypothyroidism, idiopathic shortness, intrauterine growth retardation, and IGF deficiency are the five main causes of short stature in children [3][4][5][6]. In addition to the disease that can cause children with short stature, children may be accompanied by mental and psychological disorders, introverted personality, lack of cognition, activity, and social skills [7,8].…”

Transient Hyperthyrotropinemia in Outpatient Children with Acute Infections of the Respiratory System

“…The relationship between fasting and ghrelin, whose concentration correlates positively with TSH concentration, is well known. It is highly probable because the hormonal profile observed in the study group (increased TSH concentration during infection with no impact on FT4 concentration) is characteristic for the activity of ghrelin, whose elevated concentration directly inhibits T4 synthesis [31,32].…”