Investigation the impact of liraglutide on the thyroid function tests

Abstract

Aim: Liraglutide is a once-daily glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP‑1 RA) which is an incretin hormone secreted from intestinal L cells in response to nutritional intake and stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion, decreases hepatic glucagon secretion, slows gastric emptying, provides a feeling of satiety and is the first GLP‑1 RA to be indicated for weight loss treatment for obesity. The impact of liraglutide on thyroid function tests is unknown and to the best of our knowledge, there are no studies on this regard. Our aim is to compare thyroid function tests, other biochemical and hemogram parameters before and 6 months after liraglutide treatment. Material and Methods: The patients, 18-65 years old, who used liraglutide for at least 6 months due to obesity treatment between January 2021 and January 2023 in Burdur State Hospital were included. Results: There were 51 patients (39 female, 12 male) using liraglutide without thyroid disease during the study period. Twelve patients discontinued liraglutide use before the 6th month of treatment was completed. Weight, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values were significantly lower at the 6th month of treatment. Free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) values were similar. and there was no difference other biochemical and hemogram parameters between before and 6 months after treatment Conclusion: We found a significant decrease in TSH values and improvement in metabolic parameters, but no change in thyroid hormone levels.