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Plasma C-peptide response to oral glucose load in hyperthyroidism

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Abstract

Aim of the present study was to evaluate the pancreatic β cell response to oral glucose load in a group of patients with hyperthyroidism. For this purpose plasma C-peptide at fasting and after a 100 g oral glucose load was measured in 8 newly-diagnosed untreated hyperthyroid patients with fasting normoglycemia, and 8 sex-, age-, and weight-matched healthy controls. As compared to healthy subjects, patients with hyperthyroidism showed higher plasma glucose levels (incremental area 5405 ± 742 vs 2729 ± 539 mg/dl × 180 min, p < 0.05), and slightly reduced plasma C-peptide concentrations (incremental area 166 ± 12 vs 182 ± 36 pmol/ml × 180 min, p = NS) following oral glucose load. The ratios between plasma C-peptide and plasma glucose incremental areas were lower in hyperthyroid patients than in controls (3.66 ± 0.85 vs 10.41 ± 3.08, p < 0.05). These data suggest that hyperthyroidism is characterized by a decreased pancreatic β cell response to oral glucose load.

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Bonora, E., Manicardi, V., Zenere, M. et al. Plasma C-peptide response to oral glucose load in hyperthyroidism. J Endocrinol Invest 13, 555–557 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348624

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