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Condition

Central Hypothyroidism

Central hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid caused by a signaling problem in the pituitary or hypothalamus, so the thyroid gets too little prompting to make hormone. Protirelin, a lab-made version of the hormone TRH, has the strongest evidence, and research found its test separated pituitary causes (a blunted response) from hypothalamic ones (a delayed or exaggerated response). It works as a diagnostic aid, proving most valuable in people with known pituitary disease.

Sources: PMID 30645189

Supplements studied
0
Medicines and peptides
1
Graded outcomes
3
No supplement studies yetWe haven’t found supplement studies for Central Hypothyroidism. The medicines and peptides studied for it are listed below.

Prescription medicines and peptides studied, for context

These are not supplements. Most need a prescription, and some are research compounds with no approved use.

1 medicine or peptide

Protirelin (TRH)

Protirelin (TRH): outcomes studied for Central Hypothyroidism
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Central Hypothyroidism Diagnosis

TRH test differentiates pituitary (blunted response) from hypothalamic (delayed/exaggerated response) hypothyroidism. In 54% of low T4 cases, CH diagnosis rejected based on normal TSH response. Valuable in patients with known pituitary disease.

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect26 studies

Studies that measured central hypothyroidism diagnosis

and 23 more on the Protirelin (TRH) page

TSH Adenoma Detection

90% of TSH-secreting adenomas show blunted TSH response to TRH. Sensitivity 64-71%, specificity 96-100%. Distinguishes TSHomas from thyroid hormone resistance syndrome (which shows normal TRH response).

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect26 studies

Studies that measured tsh adenoma detection

and 23 more on the Protirelin (TRH) page

Pituitary Function Assessment

Assesses functional integrity of pituitary thyrotrophs. Normal response: TSH peak at 20-30 min, returns to baseline by 60 min. Impaired response indicates pituitary disease; exaggerated/delayed response suggests hypothalamic dysfunction.

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect24 studies

Studies that measured pituitary function assessment

and 21 more on the Protirelin (TRH) page

Key findings

  • Central Hypothyroidism DiagnosisProtirelin (TRH)Improves (the measure goes up)
  • TSH Adenoma DetectionProtirelin (TRH)Improves (the measure goes up)
  • Pituitary Function AssessmentProtirelin (TRH)Improves (the measure goes up)

Studies cited

26 studies from PubMed

  1. The diagnosis and management of central hypothyroidism in 2018Eur J Endocrinol, 2018 · PMID 30645189
  2. Novel thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogs: a patent review.Expert opinion on therapeutic patents, 2011 · PMID 22017410
  3. Pituitary tumours: TSH-secreting adenomasBest Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2009 · PMID 19945025
  4. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test in patients with pituitary pathologyJ Endocrinol Invest, 2003 · PMID 14646390
  5. Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary tumors: diagnostic criteria, thyroid hormone sensitivity, and treatment outcome in 25 patients followed at the National Institutes of HealthJ Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1999 · PMID 10022404
  6. The clinical impact of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone testThyroid, 1998 · PMID 9827657
  7. Multiple hormonal responses to protirelin (TRH) in depressed patientsPharmacopsychiatria, 1984 · PMID 6404233
  8. Dose-response studies with protirelinLancet, 1971 · PMID 7944876
  9. The effect of respiratory muscle training on swimming performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Physiol · PMID 40746984
  10. Effects of Postexercise Sauna Bathing on Recovery of Swim Performance.Int J Sports Physiol Perform · PMID 31869820
  11. Sodium bicarbonate ingestion improves performance in interval swimmingEur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol · PMID 2849539
  12. Sodium bicarbonate ingestion and repeated swim sprint performanceJ Strength Cond Res · PMID 20881504
  13. Sodium bicarbonate improves swimming performanceInt J Sports Med · PMID 18004687
  14. Combined creatine and sodium bicarbonate supplementation enhances interval swimmingJ Strength Cond Res · PMID 15142001
  15. The effect of longer-term creatine supplementation on elite swimming performance after an acute creatine loadingJ Sports Sci · PMID 10585165
  16. Effects of 4 weeks of creatine supplementation in junior swimmers on freestyle sprint and swim bench performanceJ Strength Cond Res · PMID 12423175
  17. Effect of creatine supplementation on training for competition in elite swimmersMed Sci Sports Exerc · PMID 16331142
  18. Creatine supplementation and swimming performanceInt J Sport Nutr · PMID 10477361
  19. Swim performance following creatine supplementation in Division III athletesJ Strength Cond Res · PMID 12930165
  20. Effects of creatine supplementation on the performance and body composition of competitive swimmersJ Nutr Biochem · PMID 15302082
  21. Effects of acute creatine loading with or without carbohydrate on repeated bouts of maximal swimming in high-performance swimmersJ Strength Cond Res · PMID 15903360
  22. Creatine supplementation improves the anaerobic performance of elite junior fin swimmersActa Physiol Hung · PMID 19706374
  23. Low dose creatine supplementation enhances sprint phase of 400 meters swimming performanceJ Med Assoc Thai · PMID 16083193
  24. Effect of creatine on swimming velocity, body composition and hydrodynamic variablesJ Sports Med Phys Fitness · PMID 17369799
  25. Effect of oral creatine supplementation on single-effort sprint performance in elite swimmersInt J Sport Nutr · PMID 8876342
  26. The effects of L-carnitine supplementation on performance during interval swimmingInt J Sports Med · PMID 8063466