Low Thyroid Hormone Before Birth May Alter Growth of Pancreas

Thyroid hormone affects the fetal pancreas and susceptibility to pancreatic disorders and type 2 diabetes in later life.

Highlights

Thyroid hormones promote beta cell proliferation in the fetal ovine pancreatic islets.
Growth retardation in hypothyroidism is associated with reductions in pancreatic beta cell mass and circulating insulin concentration.
Abnormalities in beta-cell development may lead to increased risk of pancreatic disorders and type 2 diabetes in later life.

Normal levels of thyroid hormone during pregnancy are vital for proper development of the baby. Levels of thyroid hormone in babies influence insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas, according to a new study published in the Journal of Physiology.

The team of scientists from the UK, US, and Australia studied a sheep animal model of thyroid hormone deficiency before birth. They measured levels of three hormones: thyroid hormone, insulin, and leptin. They also studied the rate of cell division and the number of beta cells, the cells of the pancreas that store and secrete insulin.

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Congenital hypothyroidism is deficient thyroid hormone in newborns. It is critical for normal development. T3, T4 and TSH levels should be measured in all newborns.

‘Thyroid hormone levels impair the growth and development the fetal pancreas by affecting the number and rate of cell division of the beta cells.’

Approximately 1 in 3000 babies are born each year with an under-developed thyroid gland (congenital hypothyroidism) and 2-4% of pregnant mothers are affected by thyroid disease.

It is important, to find out how thyroid hormone affects the fetal pancreas, and susceptibility to pancreatic disorders and type 2 diabetes in later life. Type 2 diabetes is a disorder of the body's response to the insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas.

This new research found that thyroid hormone levels impair the growth and development the fetal pancreas by affecting the number and rate of cell division of the beta cells.

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High or low thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level is indicative of a dysfunctional thyroid.

Figuring out the full picture of how thyroid hormone influences the fetal pancreas will help ensure the health of babies with congenital thyroid hormone disorders and those born to mothers with thyroid hormone disorders.

Dr Shelley Harris, said, “The study highlights a novel role for thyroid hormones in regulating pancreatic development and opens up new questions to be explored.”

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Goitre is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. Autoimmune diseases, hereditary factors, iodine deficiency cause goitre.

Senior author Dr Alison J. Forhead added, “In individuals with low thyroid hormone before birth, abnormalities in beta-cell development may lead to increased risk of pancreatic disorders and type 2 diabetes in later life.”

Reference

Shelley E. Harris et al., Hypothyroidism in utero stimulates pancreatic beta cell proliferation and hyperinsulinaemia in the ovine fetus during late gestation, The Journal of Physiology (2017) doi:10.1113/JP273555.

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Symptoms of hypothyroidism are often general, unspecific changes in the body. Lethargy, weight gain, stiffness and cramping of muscles are some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Source-Medindia