The possible influence of a 48 h period of sleep deprivation on the serum concentrations of total and unbound 3,5,3',5'-thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), and of total 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3, rT3) was studied in 12 young male volunteers. In addition, plasma concentrations of TSH and the urinary excretion of noradrenaline and adrenaline were examined. Both total S-T4, S-T3 and S-rT3, and unbound S-T4 and S-T3 (unbound rT3 was not calculated) were significantly enhanced following sleep deprivation. P-TSH showed a numerical but statistically not significant increase, while the catecholamines remained unaltered. The results suggest that sleep deprivation provokes enhanced secretion of thyroid hormone(s), supposedly via increased secretion of TSH.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Palmblad et al. (1979) studied this question.