Markers of tissue response to thyroid hormones in patients with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Changes in serum cholesterol and aminoterminal type III procollagen propeptide (PIIIPN) were compared in 33 patients with hyperthyroidism, 16 patients with hypothyroidism, and 23 healthy individuals. An increase in PIIIPN was found in patients with hyperthyroidism and an increase in serum cholesterol level was associated with hypothyroidism. There was no correlation between investigated indices. It is suggested that PIIIPN changes were a result of altered connective tissue metabolism, while serum cholesterol was related to the intensity of body metabolism.