Study of How Changing Thyroid Hormone Levels Affect Glucose and Energy Metabolism in People With Graves Disease or Thyroid Cancer

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how changes in thyroid hormone levels affect glucose and lipid metabolism in people. This study focuses on patients whose thyroid hormone levels are intentionally altered by treatment those with Graves disease will have hormone levels lowered, and those with thyroid cancer will have hormone levels raised. The research aims to clarify how thyroid hormones influence insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, lipid metabolism, energy expenditure, and related metabolic functions in humans, addressing gaps mostly filled by animal studies so far. Participants will undergo oral glucose tolerance tests before starting treatment, then again at two weeks and three months after treatment begins. The treatments involve standard care for Graves disease and thyroid carcinoma, with medication used to adjust thyroid hormone levels accordingly. During the glucose tolerance tests, body composition and metabolic flexibility will be measured using bioimpedance analysis and indirect calorimetry, respectively. Throughout the study, researchers will assess insulin sensitivity and secretion, resting energy expenditure, respiratory quotient, lipid metabolism, hepatic steatosis, heart rate variability, and eating behavior. These measurements occur at baseline, two weeks, and three months, except for hepatic steatosis and some behavioral assessments which are measured at baseline or three months. Participant involvement includes metabolic testing and clinical evaluations to understand the effects of thyroid hormone changes on energy and glucose metabolism over time.

Impact of Thyroid Hormones on Human Glucose and Energy Metabolism