Effects of thyroid hormone on serum glycated albumin levels: Study on non-diabetic subjects

Abstract

Glycated albumin (GA) is used alongside glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1C) as an indicator of glycemic control. Although serum GA levels are affected mainly by plasma glucose, they are also influenced by serum albumin metabolism. Thyroid hormone is known to promote albumin catabolism, and it is thus thought to affect serum GA levels. In the present study, the effects of thyroid hormone on serum GA measurements were investigated in patients with thyroid dysfunction. Six patients with untreated hypothyroidism and 17 patients with untreated thyrotoxicosis were investigated. Patients who had anemia or diabetes were excluded. A total of 25 non-diabetic, euthyroid individuals were enrolled as controls. HbA 1C, serum GA, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (T 3), and free thyroxine (T 4) levels were measured in all these subjects, and their relationships were examined. Although no intergroup differences were observed for HbA 1C, serum GA was significantly higher among patients with hypothyroidism than controls, and significantly lower among patients with thyrotoxicosis. Serum GA had a significant positive correlation with serum TSH and significant inverse correlations with free T 3 and free T 4. Thyroid hormone levels are inversely associated with serum GA levels. Cautions are necessary when evaluating serum GA levels in patients with thyroid dysfunction.