Glucose Metabolism in Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetic Patients with Experimental Hyperthyroidism*

Hyperthyroidism is known to further impair carbohydrate metabolism in diabetic patients. In the present study we examined in noninsulin-dependent (type 2) diabetic patients the effect of T3-induced hyperthyroidism on glucose utilization and endogenous glucose production by means of the hyperinsulinemic and hyperglycemic clamp technique in combination with [3H]3-glucose kinetic analysis. Administration of T3 for 1 week increased the mean serum T3 concentration from 1.0 +/- 0.1 (SEM) to 4.1 +/- 0.2 ng/ml, and the mean fasting plasma glucose from 8.7 +/- 0.7 to 9.9 +/- 0.9 mmol/liter. Basal hepatic glucose production (HGP) rose from 3.23 +/- 0.23 to 3.98 +/- 0.25 mg/kg X min, whereas basal MCR of glucose (MCRG) increased only slightly from 2.12 +/- 0.24 to 2.30 +/- 0.14 ml/kg X min. When the plasma insulin concentration was acutely raised and maintained at 82 +/- 8 microU/ml (hyperinsulinemic clamp study), HGP decreased to 0.71 +/- 0.29 mg/kg X min and MCRG increased to 3.16 +/- 0.47 ml/kg X min. After T3 administration suppression of HGP by insulin was reduced (1.55 +/- 0.37 mg/kg X min), but at the same time MCRG was only slightly affected (3.64 +/- 0.54 ml/kg X min). In the hyperglycemic clamp study the plasma glucose concentration was maintained 7 mmol/liter above the individual fasting level. MCRG was again slightly higher after T3 administration (1.98 +/- 0.18 vs. 1.66 +/- 0.15 ml/kg X min), but insufficient to completely compensate for the higher residual HGP at the hyperthyroid as compared to the euthyroid state (2.42 +/- 0.24 vs. 1.45 +/- 0.36 mg/kg X min). Thus, deterioration of metabolic control in noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients by hyperthyroidism is due primarily to enhancement of basal HGP and its reduced suppressibility by insulin and glucose.