Treatment of Swedish Patients with Graves' Hyperthyroidism Is Associated with Changes in Acylcarnitine Levels

Background: Hyperthyroidism is associated with alterations in metabolism that are currently only partially understood. The objective of the study was to investigate changes in metabolism associated with reinstatement of euthyroidism in Swedish patients. Methods: Eighty metabolites in plasma were profiled from 10 subjects with Graves' disease (GD) at baseline and after 9 and 15 months of treatment to reinstate euthyroidism. Thyroid parameters, thyrotropin (TSH), TSH receptor antibodies, free triiodothyronine, and free thyroxine were followed. Main findings were validated in plasma from 20 subjects with GD at baseline and at three, six, and nine months. The study was conducted at the endocrinology clinic in Malmo, Sweden. Results: Euthyroidism was reinstated at three months, and thyroid status did not change further during the 15-month follow-up. This was paralleled by altered levels of 9/19 detected acylcarnitines (p < 0.05 after adjustment for multiple testing). Levels of short-chain acylcarnitines were d...