Effect of a single dose of glucocorticoid on the diurnal variations of TSH, thyroxine, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, 3,3'5'-triiodothyronine and cortisol in normal men.

Plasma thyrotropin (TSH) and cortisol concentrations were suppressed immediately after an intravenous bolus dose of 8 mg betamethasone in 6 male subjects. The circadian variations of these hormones disappeared for 40 hr (TSH) and 44 hr (cortisol). Plasma thyroxine (T4), 3, 5, 3'-triiodothyronine (T3), 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3) levels did not show diurnal variations before betamethasone administration. Plasma T3 levels decreased to 66% of the basal levels 20 hr after batamethasone administration, whereas plasma reverse T3 levels increased to 163% of the basal levels at 24 hr. These changes were reversed by 3 to 5 days after betamethasone. The earlier recovery of the diurnal rhythm of TSH than that of cortisol suggests that the TSH rhythm is not under the direct control of circulating cortisol.