Heart rate response to graded exercise test of elderly subjects in different ranges of TSH levels

ABSTRACT Objective: Life expectancy is increasing worldwide and studies have been demonstrating that elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration in elderly is associated with some better health outcomes. This elevation is somewhat physiological as aging. The aim of this study was to investigate the heart rate (HR) response during a graded exercise test and its recovery in healthy elderly, comparing subjects within serum TSH in the lower limit of reference range to those within the TSH in the upper limit. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 86 healthy elderly aged 71.5 ± 5.1 years, with serum TSH between 0.4 - 4.0 mUl/mL. The participants were divided into two groups according to TSH level: < 1.0 mUl/mL (n = 13) and ≥ 1.0 µUI/mL (n = 73). All participants performed an ergometric test on a treadmill. The HR was recorded and analyzed at rest, during exercise and during the three minutes immediately after exercise. Results: No differences were observed in relation to HR at peak of exercise (TSH < 1.0 µUI/mL: 133.9 ± 22.5 bpm vs. TSH ≥ 1.0 µUI/mL: 132.4 ± 21.3 bpm; p = 0.70) and during the first minute of recovery phase (TSH < 1.0 µUI/mL: 122.3 ± 23.1 bpm vs. TSH ≥ 1.0 µUI/mL: 115.7 ± 18.4 bpm p = 0.33). The groups also presented similar chronotropic index (TSH < 1.0 µUI/mL: 78.1 ± 30.6 vs. TSH ≥ 1.0 µUI/mL: 79.5 ± 26.4; p = 0.74). Conclusion: In this sample studied, there were no difference between lower and upper TSH level concerning HR response during rest, peak of exercise and exercise recovery.

Does low serum TSH within the normal range have negative impact on physical exercise capacity and quality of life of healthy elderly people?

Objective Investigate the differences in cardiopulmonary (CP) capacity and Quality of Life (QOL) between healthy elderly (≥ 65 years) with different TSH levels (< 1.0 and ≥ 1.0 μIU/mL) both within the normal range. Also, evaluate the effects of TSH elevation on CP test and QOL, by administering methimazole to subjects with initial lower-normal TSH, in order to elevate it to superior-normal limit. Materials and methods Initially, a cross-sectional study was performed to compare CP capacity at peak exercise and QOL (using WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire) between healthy seniors (age ≥ 65 years) with TSH < 1.0 μIU/mL vs. TSH ≥1.0 μIU/mL. In the second phase, participants with TSH < 1.0 μIU/mL were included in a non-controlled-prospective-interventional study to investigate the effect of TSH elevation, using methimazole, on QOL and CP capacity at peak exercise. Results From 89 elderly evaluated, 75 had TSH ≥ 1 μIU/mL and 14 TSH < 1 μIU/mL. The two groups had similar basal clinical characteristics. No difference in WHOQOL-OLD scores was observed between groups and they did not differ in terms of CP function at peak exercise. QOL and CP variables were not correlated with TSH levels. Twelve of 14 participants with TSH < 1.0 μIU/mL entered in the prospective study. After one year, no significant differences in clinical caracteristics, QOL, and CP variables were detected in paired analysis before and after methimazole intervention. Conclusions We found no differences in CP capacity and QOL between health elderly with different TSH levels within normal range and no impact after one year of methimazole treatment. More prospective-controlled-randomized studies are necessary to confirm or not the possible harm effect in normal low TSH.

Exercise is associated with better quality of life in patients on TSH-suppressive therapy with levothyroxine for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if a supervised exercise training program improves the quality of life (QoL) of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients on TSH-suppressive therapy with levothyroxine (L-T4). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Initially, a cross-sectional study was performed to compare the QoL and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between subclinical hyperthyroidism (SCH) patients (n = 33) and euthyroid subjects (EU; n = 49). In the prospective phase of the study, SCH patients were randomized in a non-blinded fashion to either participate (SCH-Tr = trained patients; n = 16) or not (SCH-Sed = untrained patients; n = 17) in a supervised exercise training program. The exercise program consisted of 60 minutes of aerobic and stretching exercises, twice a week, during twelve weeks. The QoL was assessed by the application of the WHOQOL-Bref, and the SF-36 was used to assess the HRQoL. RESULTS: SCH patients had statistically lower scores than EU on the "physical" domain of WHOQOL-Bref, besides "physical function", "role-physical", "bodily pain", "general health", "vitality", "role-emotional", and "mental-health" domains of SF-36. After three months, SCH-Tr patients showed improvement in the "physical" and "psychological" domains of WHOQOL-Bref (p < 0.05), and in the "physical function", "role-physical", "bodily pain", "vitality" and "mental health" domains of SF-36. CONCLUSION: Patients on TSH-suppressive therapy with L-T4 for DTC had impaired QoL and HRQoL compared to EU, but it was improved after 3-months of an exercise training program. Exercise seems to play an important role in the follow-up of DTC patients, since it seems to minimize the adverse effects of the treatment on QoL and HRQoL.

Exercise is associated with better quality of life in patients on TSH-suppressive therapy with levothyroxine for differentiated thyroid carcinoma / O exercício está associado com melhor qualidade de vida em pacientes em terapia de supressão de TSH com levotiroxina para o carcinoma diferenciado de tireoide

Objective : To evaluate if a supervised exercise training program improves the quality of life (QoL) of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients on TSH-suppressive therapy with levothyroxine (L-T4).Subjects and methods : Initially, a cross-sectional study was performed to compare the QoL and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between subclinical hyperthyroidism (SCH) patients (n = 33) and euthyroid subjects (EU; n = 49). In the prospective phase of the study, SCH patients were randomized in a non-blinded fashion to either participate (SCH-Tr = trained patients; n = 16) or not (SCH-Sed = untrained patients; n = 17) in a supervised exercise training program. The exercise program consisted of 60 minutes of aerobic and stretching exercises, twice a week, during twelve weeks. The QoL was assessed by the application of the WHOQOL-Bref, and the SF-36 was used to assess the HRQoL.Results : SCH patients had statistically lower scores than EU on the “physical” domain of WHOQOL-Bref, besides “physical function”, “role-physical”, “bodily pain”, “general health”, “vitality”, “role-emotional”, and “mental-health” domains of SF-36. After three months, SCH-Tr patients showed improvement in the “physical” and “psychological” domains of WHOQOL-Bref (p < 0.05), and in the “physical function”, “role-physical”, “bodily pain”, “vitality” and “mental health” domains of SF-36.Conclusion : Patients on TSH-suppressive therapy with L-T4 for DTC had impaired QoL and HRQoL compared to EU, but it was improved after 3-months of an exercise training program. Exercise seems to play an important role in the follow-up of DTC patients, since it seems to minimize the adverse effects of the treatment on QoL and HRQoL. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(3):274-81.

Objetivo : Avaliar se um programa de exercícios supervisionado melhora a qualidade de vida (QV) de pacientes com carcinoma diferenciado de tireoide (CDT) em tratamento de supressão de TSH com levotirotoxina (L-T4).Sujeitos e métodos : Inicialmente, foi feito um estudo cruzado para se comparar a QV e a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) em pacientes com hipertireoidismo subclínico (HSC, n = 33) e indivíduos eutiroides (EU; n = 49). Na fase prospectiva do estudo, os pacientes com HSC foram randomizados de forma não cega para participar (HSC-Tr = pacientes treinados; n = 16) ou não (HSC-Sed = pacientes não treinados; n = 17) de um programa de exercícios supervisionado. O programa de exercícios consistiu de 60 minutos de atividade aeróbica e alongamento, duas vezes por semana, por 12 semanas. A qualidade de vida foi avaliada pelos questionários WHOQOL-Bref, e a QVRS pelo SF-36.Resultados : Os pacientes com HSC apresentaram escores estatisticamente mais baixos do que os EU no domínio “físico” do WHOQOL-Bref, além dos domínios “função física”, “papel físico”, “dor corporal”, “saúde geral”, “vitalidade”, “papel emocional” e “saúde mental” do SF-36. Após três meses, os pacientes HSC-Tr mostraram melhora nos domínios “físico” e “psicológico” do WHOQOL-Bref (p < 0,05) e nos domínios “função física”, “papel físico”, “dor corporal”, “vitalidade” e “saúde mental” do SF-36.Conclusão : Os pacientes em terapia de supressão de TSH com L-T4 para CDT apresentaram QV e QVRS afetados negativamente quando comparados com sujeitos EU, mas essas avaliações melhoraram após ...

Impaired functional and hemodynamic response to graded exercise testing and its recovery in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional and hemodynamic responses during exercise and its recovery in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism (SCH). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 29 patients on TSH-suppressive therapy with levothyroxine for thyroid carcinoma and 35 euthyroid subjects. All volunteers underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill and functional and hemodynamic variables were measured during exercise and its recovery. RESULTS: SCH patients showed impaired functional response to exercise, marked by lower values for oxygen consumption and exercise duration in addition to premature achievement of the anaerobic threshold. Heart-rate and blood pressure recovery immediately after exercise were slower among SCH patients when compared to euthyroid subjects. CONCLUSION: SCH is associated with impaired functional and hemodynamic responses during exercise and its recovery.

Effects of physical activity on body composition and fatigue perception in patients on thyrotropin-suppressive therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical thyrotoxicosis (scTox) may be associated with alterations in body composition and fatigue that can be possibly reversed with physical activity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the systematic practice of physical activity improves lower extremity muscle mass and fatigue perception in patients with scTox. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 36 patients (2 men) with median age of 48.0 (43.0-51.0) years, body mass index of 27.4 (22.1-30.2) kg/m(2), thyrotropin <0.4 mU/L, and free thyroxine between 0.8 and 1.9 ng/dL and 48 control subjects (C group; 7 men). Patients were randomly divided in two groups according to the adherence to the exercise training: scTox-Tr (n = 19)-patients who adhered to the exercise intervention and scTox-Sed (n = 17)--patients who did not adhere to it. The C group did not participate in the randomization. The exercise training was supervised by a physical education instructor, and it was composed of 60 minutes of aerobic activity and stretching exercises, twice a week, during 12 weeks. In both groups, body composition was assessed (anthropometric method), and the Chalder Fatigue Scale was determined at baseline and after 3 months of intervention (scTox-Tr group) or observation (scTox-Sed group). RESULTS: At baseline, patients with scTox had lower muscle mass and mid-thigh girth and more fatigue on the Chalder Fatigue Scale than euthyroid control subjects. The scTox-Tr group had an increase in muscle mass, reduction in the variables reflecting whole body fat, and lesser perception of fatigue during the exercise training period (p ≤ 0.05 for these parameters at the start and end of the exercise training period). CONCLUSIONS: scTox is associated with lower muscle mass and mid-thigh girth and more fatigue. Physical activity training can partially ameliorate these characteristics. More studies are needed to determine what training program would be optimum, both in terms of beneficial effects and for avoiding potential adverse responses.

Impaired functional and hemodynamic response to graded exercise testing and its recovery in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism / Capacidade funcional e hemodinâmica em esforço e na recuperação de pacientes com hipertireoidismo subclínico

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional and hemodynamic responses during exercise and its recovery in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism (SCH). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 29 patients on TSH-suppressive therapy with levothyroxine for thyroid carcinoma and 35 euthyroid subjects. All volunteers underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill and functional and hemodynamic variables were measured during exercise and its recovery. RESULTS: SCH patients showed impaired functional response to exercise, marked by lower values for oxygen consumption and exercise duration in addition to premature achievement of the anaerobic threshold. Heart-rate and blood pressure recovery immediately after exercise were slower among SCH patients when compared to euthyroid subjects. CONCLUSION: SCH is associated with impaired functional and hemodynamic responses during exercise and its recovery.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a capacidade funcional e hemodinâmica em esforço e durante a recuperação em pacientes com hipertireoidismo subclínico (SCH). SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo seccional em que participaram 29 pacientes em terapia supressiva de TSH com levotiroxina para carcinoma diferenciado de tireoide e 35 indivíduos sem doença tireoidiana. Todos foram submetidos a um teste cardiopulmonar de esforço em esteira, no qual foram medidas variáveis funcionais e hemodinâmicas durante o exercício e a recuperação. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes apresentaram um comprometimento na capacidade funcional, evidenciado por menores valores de consumo de oxigênio e duração de exercício, além do alcance prematuro do limiar anaeróbio. Imediatamente após o exercício, os pacientes apresentaram uma curva mais lenta de recuperação da frequência cardíaca e da pressão arterial. CONCLUSÃO: O SCH está associado ao comprometimento na capacidade funcional e hemodinâmica em esforço e na recuperação.