SOME EFFECTS OF THYROID DISEASE ON NEUTRAL STEROID METABOLISM

SUMMARY Gas—liquid chromatography was used to compare the urinary levels of 18 neutral steroid metabolites in normal, hyper- and hypothyroid subjects. Numerous significantly abnormal parameters were observed in both disease states. In hyperthyroidism the ratios of total androsterone: total aetiocholanolone and of their aglycones were increased. Total 17α-hydroxycorticosteroids were moderately increased largely because of augmented levels of some major metabolites, e.g. the summed cortolones, with only small decreases in others, e.g. tetrahydrocortisol. The percentage contribution of tetrahydrocortisol to its group of eight related metabolites was, however, profoundly reduced. In hypothyroidism the excretions of all major glucosiduronates and sulphates of the 11-deoxy-17-oxosteroid group were greatly, and some profoundly, reduced, with a marked decrease in the ratio of the aglycones androsterone:aetiocholanolone. Total 17α-hydroxycorticosteroids were moderately decreased, largely because of low outputs of tetrahydrocortisone and of the summed cortolones. There was a profound decrease in the percentage contribution of 5α-tetrahydrocortisol. Explanations of the observations are attempted in terms of hypothetical changes in the activities of certain steroid-metabolizing enzymes.