Topical hormone therapy with natural or synthetic ligands of nuclear hormone receptors such as glucocorticoids, vitamin D analogues and retinoids has a long and highly successful tradition in dermatology. Yet the dermatological potential of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) agonists has been widely ignored, despite abundant clinical, cell and molecular biology, mouse in vivo, and human skin and hair follicle organ culture data documenting a role of TR‐mediated signalling in skin physiology and pathology. Here, we review this evidence, with emphasis on wound healing and hair growth, and specifically highlight the therapeutic potential of repurposing topical L‐thyroxine (T4) for selected applications in future dermatological therapy. We underscore the known systemic safety and efficacy profile of T4 in clinical medicine, and the well‐documented impact of thyroid hormones on, for example, human epidermal and hair follicle physiology, hair follicle epithelial stem cells and pigmentation, keratin expression, mitochondrial energy metabolism and wound healing. On this background, we argue that short‐term topical T4 treatment deserves careful further preclinical and clinical exploration for repurposing as a low‐cost, effective and widely available dermatotherapeutic, namely in the management of skin ulcers and telogen effluvium, and that its predictable adverse effects are well‐manageable.
I wouldn't describe Levothyroxine as the 'cinderella of hormones' ,( unless i've been reading the wrong fairy story)
Unlike Cinderella, Levo always gets a VIP invite to every thyroid party and them often proceeds to be rubbish when it gets there........ or do they mean the bit where i always have to leave the party early because i've turned into a pumpkin.
I won't bother reading the full study, so many other things to do. It's a 'topical' (ha, ha) subject as a proposed study of inhaled T3 for COVID-19 has just been launched.
It seems daft to consider topical T4 for local effect, the obvious choice would be T3. The skin has deiodinase but there's no guarantee the T4 wil be deiodinased where it's put.
As a general point using T3, other thyroid agonists or antagonists as a means of treatment is a promising possiblity that hasn't been explored.
Probably swings and roundabouts. There's some very deep evidence that having low T4 may help but the body often protects itself by lowering T3 levels. The short answer is nobody knows.
Helvella, I've often wondered, whatever is the picture of? First I see it as a mangled bone, then a part of a brain, a hand holding something weird, looking closer it looks a bit like a fungus, whatever is it?
Fancy that, I took some photos of these not long ago, they are so attractive and somehow unreal looking. Now I shall think of you whenever I see them. Have a good week and, thanks, for all that you do, this site and all your help which is wonderful.
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