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Circadian rhythm of TSH levels in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

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Abstract

Objectives

The circadian rhythm of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in patients with Alzheimer’s disease was measured by means of a case–control study.

Methods

Serum samples from cases and controls were collected continuously for 2 days, and then once every 2 h (even number time-point during the first day and odd number time-point in the second). TSH was detected by radioimmunoassay.

Results

AD patients had no significant circadian rhythm in serum TSH levels, whereas normal controls did. In normal controls, serum TSH levels from 19:00 to 20:00 were the lowest (19:00, 3.89 ± 0.97 mIU/L; 20:00, 3.76 ± 0.84 mIU/L) and those in the period 2:00–4:00 were the highest (2:00, 6.15 ± 0.94 mIU/L; 3:00, 6.32 ± 1.04 mIU/L; 4:00, 6.39 ± 1.13 mIU/L; F = 6.762, df = 23, P = 0.002). However, in AD patients, 24-h serum TSH levels were 3.80–4.03 mIU/L (F = 0.897, df = 23, P = 0.996). At the 24 time-points, except for the four time-points from 16:00 to 19:00, TSH levels in AD patients were significantly lower than those in normal controls.

Conclusions

The circadian rhythm of serum TSH levels in AD patients did not appear, and their serum TSH levels were significantly lower than those in normal controls.

Significance

The circadian rhythm in serum TSH levels in AD patients differs greatly from that of the general population.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the Science and Technology Graveness Project of Sichuan Province (2010FZ0061) and by the Illustrious Youth Specialist Project of Sichuan Province (2012JQ0050). The authors would like to thank the staff of the Key Laboratory of Chronobiology of the Health Ministry in the Basic and Forensic School of Sichuan University and the Department of Geriatrics of the Third Hospital of Mianyang, and all participants (and their legal proxies) for their valuable contribution.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Youyi Road, Yanjiagang, YuZhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China

    Jian-Mei Chen, Ming Ai & Li Kuang

  2. Department of Geriatrics, Third Hospital of Mianyang, Sichuan, China

    Chang-Quan Huang

Authors
  1. Jian-Mei Chen
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  2. Chang-Quan Huang
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  3. Ming Ai
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  4. Li Kuang
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Correspondence to Li Kuang.

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Chen, JM., Huang, CQ., Ai, M. et al. Circadian rhythm of TSH levels in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aging Clin Exp Res 25, 153–157 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0025-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0025-x

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