Serum Leptin in Overt and Subclinical Hypothyroidism: Effect of Levothyroxine Treatment and Relationship to Menopausal Status and Body Composition

Abstract

Serum leptin concentrations are elevated in postmenopausal women with SH or OH. A relationship between thyroid status and serum leptin is further supported by the fact that LT(4) treatment, to restore the EU status, reduced serum leptin levels in OH in the absence of significant effects on BMI. In women, hypothyroidism influences either leptin secretion or degradation and this effect is more pronounced in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women.