Topical L‐thyroxine: The Cinderella among hormo... - Thyroid UK

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Topical L‐thyroxine: The Cinderella among hormones waiting to dance on the floor of dermatological therapy?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK
11 Replies

An interesting article.

Will need proper reading of the full paper to understand exactly how they hope to get the thyroid hormone to absorb satisfactorily.

Topical L‐thyroxine: The Cinderella among hormones waiting to dance on the floor of dermatological therapy?

Ralf Paus

Yuval Ramot

Robert S. Kirsner

Marjana Tomic‐Canic

First published: 18 July 2020

doi.org/10.1111/exd.14156

Abstract

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.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

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11 Replies
diogenes profile image
diogenesRemembering

Maybe they can use the same materials aiding skin absorption as is done for Voltarol.

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle

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.

The skin absorption idea is interesting though...

jimh111 profile image
jimh111

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.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to jimh111

I agree.

And, quite possibly, a lower dose (of T3 than T4) with less tendency to get circulated elsewhere.

thyr01d profile image
thyr01d in reply to jimh111

Liked the pun! May be a daft question but does this mean those of us already taking T3 might have greater protection when it comes to covid-19?

jimh111 profile image
jimh111 in reply to thyr01d

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.

thyr01d profile image
thyr01d

Your post made me smile - I can imagine people without thyroid problems finding it easier to get thyroid meds than those of us with them!!!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to thyr01d

Too true!

thyr01d profile image
thyr01d

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?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to thyr01d

Helvella crispa! The Elfin saddle.

first-nature.com/fungi/helv...

thyr01d profile image
thyr01d

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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