ThyroidThyrBarNCT03048708
Thyroid in Bariatric Surgery
A study testing Bariatric surgery in people with Thyroid and Obesity, run by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.
Trial summary
This study is expected to provide novel data regarding potential structural and functional changes of the thyroid gland in morbidly obese adults following significant weight loss through bariatric surgery. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Thyroid, Obesity, Insulin Resistance
- What is being tested?
- Bariatric surgery
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 10 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Jun 2011to Aug 2016
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2)
- Age: 18-65
Who cannot join
- Diagnosis of obesity secondary to primary endocrine or systemic disease (e.g. Cushing's syndrome)
- Evidence of clinically relevant thyroid disease
- Chronic systematic inflammatory disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)
- Pregnancy
- Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. corticosteroids)
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus
About this study
Official title: Changes in Thyroid Function Tests and Texture Following Bariatric Surgery Induced Weight Loss
This study is expected to provide novel data regarding potential structural and functional changes of the thyroid gland in morbidly obese adults following significant weight loss through bariatric surgery. These data will complement evidence from epidemiological studies regarding the association of obesity and alterations in thyroid function. Potentially this study may justify further longer-term studies regarding the effects of weight gain and/or weight loss on the morphology of the thyroid gland and could help to form recommendations regarding follow-up investigations for the thyroid in morbidly obese patients.
Read the detailed description
Alterations in thyroid function are reported in obesity. Thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations have been variously described as normal, elevated, or low in morbidly obese patients compared with normal weight controls. However, it is a common observation that a significant proportion of patients with morbid obesity display slightly increased serum levels of TSH, while even relatively mild elevations of serum TSH are associated with an increase in the occurrence of obesity. Of note, abnormalities in thyroid function and TSH mostly normalize after weight loss, suggesting that these biochemical alterations are reversible. Despite uncertainty regarding the underlying mechanisms, it has been suggested that neither autoimmunity nor iodine deficiency seems to play a critical role. Several alternative mechanisms leading to hyperthyrotropinemia have been hypothesized, which include impaired feedback due to decreased number of triiodothyronine (T3) receptors in the hypothalamus, and variations in peripheral deiodinase activity. Leptin, in addition to regulating body weight and satiation, has also been shown to mediate the production of pro-TRH in cultured fetal rat hypothalamic neurons. Partial regulation of TSH by leptin has been also reported in humans. In addition, peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism appears to be reflected by the ratio of T3 to reverse T3 (rT3) (T3/rT3-ratio). We have shown that the T3/rT3-ratio is significantly increased in insulin resistant patients compared to their insulin sensitive partners despite comparable TSH values. Given that obesity is strongly associated with insulin resistance, and thyroid hormones are known to modulate carbohydrate metabolism, e.g. by affecting cellular glucose uptake, possible changes in the T3/fT3 ratio following weight loss after bariatric surgery could be of interest.
Data from cross-sectional studies further indicate that the thyroid structure of obese patients can be also affected, independent of the existence of autoimmune thyroiditis as indicated by the presence of auto-antibodies such as TPO. Ultrasound (US) scans are able to accurately characterize the echographic structure of thyroid tissue, in addition to estimation of thyroid volume and identification of non-palpable thyroid nodules. The typical normal thyroid parenchyma has a distinct high echo density due to the follicle structure, which contrasts well with tissue of the collar muscles. The interface between thyroid cells and the colloid exhibits elevated acoustic impedance, causing high-frequency acoustic waves to be reflected back to the US probe. However, in autoimmune thyroid diseases both lymphocytic infiltration and disruption of normal tissue architecture cause a reduction in thyroid echogenicity, whereas other tissues close by such as muscle tissue appear to remain unaffected. Only few previous studies reported on the morphology of the thyroid gland in adults with morbid obesity. Given that thyroid function has been reported to return to normal after weight loss, research questions are also raised about the potential reversibility of thyroid structural abnormalities following substantial weight loss in previously morbidly obese patients.
- Conditions
- Thyroid, Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Autoimmune Thyroiditis
- Being tested
- Bariatric surgery
- Keywords
- Bariatric surgery, Leptin, Thyroid function tests
- Medical subject headings
- Thyroid Diseases, Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Thyroiditis, Autoimmune
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Bariatric surgeryProcedure or surgery
patients who had received treatment with bariatric surgery for medical reasons
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Obese patients treated with bariatric surgery | Experimental | Patients with morbid obesity who were eligible for and willing to have bariatric surgery performed Receives: Procedure: Bariatric surgery |
| Obese patients not treated with bariatric surgery | No intervention | Age and BMI matched patients with morbid obesity who either were not eligible for or were not willing to have bariatric surgery performed - no sufficient number of matched patients has completed the study; the arm of obese patients not treated with bariatric surgery has been discarded for the purpose of the analyses |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Changes in thyroid morphology and thyroid function tests in morbidly obese patients following significant weight loss after bariatric surgery
Measurement of thyroid ultrasound (grey scale assessment, volume, echogenicity) and thyroid function tests (free T4, free T3, TSH and rT3) at baseline and at least 3 months after surgery when relevant weight loss is achieved
Measured: > 3 month or when relevant weight loss has been achieved
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Feb 2017 (estimated)
- Study startJun 2011
- Primary completionDec 2013
- Study completionAug 2016
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for ThyroidStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 10 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Martin Weickert, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03048708
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 11/WM/0085
- Other IDs
- ID74554
- Acronym
- ThyrBar
- Status last verified
- Mar 2018
- First submitted
- 7 Feb 2017
- Last updated
- 20 Mar 2018
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Ho AHY, Ma SHX, Tan MKB, Bajpai RC. A Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial of an Intergenerational Arts and Heritage-Based Intervention in Singapore: Project ARTISAN. Front Psychol. 2021 Sep 6;12:730709. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.730709. eCollection 2021.
PubMed 34552538Mapurunga MV, Andreoni S, de Oliveira DR, Sarubbi V Jr, Bonilha AC, D'Almeida V, Tomita L, Ramos LR, Demarzo M. Protocol for a Nested Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of the Mindfulness Based Health Promotion Program on the Quality of Life of Older Adults Assisted in Primary Care-"The MBHP-Elderly Study". Front Med (Lausanne). 2020 Nov 30;7:563099. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2020.563099. eCollection 2020.
PubMed 33425931Beit Yosef A, Jacobs JM, Shenkar S, Shames J, Schwartz I, Doryon Y, Naveh Y, Khalailh F, Berrous S, Gilboa Y. Activity Performance, Participation, and Quality of Life Among Adults in the Chronic Stage After Acquired Brain Injury-The Feasibility of an Occupation-Based Telerehabilitation Intervention. Front Neurol. 2019 Dec 6;10:1247. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01247. eCollection 2019.
PubMed 31866924Kyrou I, Adesanya O, Hedley N, Wayte S, Grammatopoulos D, Thomas CL, Weedall A, Sivaraman S, Pelluri L, Barber TM, Menon V, Randeva HS, Tedla M, Weickert MO. Improved Thyroid Hypoechogenicity Following Bariatric-Induced Weight Loss in Euthyroid Adults With Severe Obesity-a Pilot Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018 Aug 24;9:488. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00488. eCollection 2018.
PubMed 30197625
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Mar 2018. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Changes in Thyroid Function Tests and Texture Following Bariatric Surgery Induced Weight Loss
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03048708
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ThyrBar / 11/WM/0085
- Conditions
- Thyroid, Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Autoimmune Thyroiditis
- Keywords
- Bariatric surgery, Leptin, Thyroid function tests
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 10 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS TrustUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jun 2011
- Primary completion
- Dec 2013 (actual)
- Study completion
- Aug 2016 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 Feb 2017 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study is expected to provide novel data regarding potential structural and functional changes of the thyroid gland in morbidly obese adults following significant weight loss through bariatric surgery. These data will complement evidence from epidemiological studies regarding the association of obesity and alterations in thyroid function. Potentially this study may justify further longer-term studies regarding the effects of weight gain and/or weight loss on the morphology of the thyroid gland and could help to form recommendations regarding follow-up investigations for the thyroid in morbidly obese patients.
Detailed description
Alterations in thyroid function are reported in obesity. Thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations have been variously described as normal, elevated, or low in morbidly obese patients compared with normal weight controls. However, it is a common observation that a significant proportion of patients with morbid obesity display slightly increased serum levels of TSH, while even relatively mild elevations of serum TSH are associated with an increase in the occurrence of obesity. Of note, abnormalities in thyroid function and TSH mostly normalize after weight loss, suggesting that these biochemical alterations are reversible. Despite uncertainty regarding the underlying mechanisms, it has been suggested that neither autoimmunity nor iodine deficiency seems to play a critical role. Several alternative mechanisms leading to hyperthyrotropinemia have been hypothesized, which include impaired feedback due to decreased number of triiodothyronine (T3) receptors in the hypothalamus, and variations in peripheral deiodinase activity. Leptin, in addition to regulating body weight and satiation, has also been shown to mediate the production of pro-TRH in cultured fetal rat hypothalamic neurons. Partial regulation of TSH by leptin has been also reported in humans. In addition, peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism appears to be reflected by the ratio of T3 to reverse T3 (rT3) (T3/rT3-ratio). We have shown that the T3/rT3-ratio is significantly increased in insulin resistant patients compared to their insulin sensitive partners despite comparable TSH values. Given that obesity is strongly associated with insulin resistance, and thyroid hormones are known to modulate carbohydrate metabolism, e.g. by affecting cellular glucose uptake, possible changes in the T3/fT3 ratio following weight loss after bariatric surgery could be of interest.
Data from cross-sectional studies further indicate that the thyroid structure of obese patients can be also affected, independent of the existence of autoimmune thyroiditis as indicated by the presence of auto-antibodies such as TPO. Ultrasound (US) scans are able to accurately characterize the echographic structure of thyroid tissue, in addition to estimation of thyroid volume and identification of non-palpable thyroid nodules. The typical normal thyroid parenchyma has a distinct high echo density due to the follicle structure, which contrasts well with tissue of the collar muscles. The interface between thyroid cells and the colloid exhibits elevated acoustic impedance, causing high-frequency acoustic waves to be reflected back to the US probe. However, in autoimmune thyroid diseases both lymphocytic infiltration and disruption of normal tissue architecture cause a reduction in thyroid echogenicity, whereas other tissues close by such as muscle tissue appear to remain unaffected. Only few previous studies reported on the morphology of the thyroid gland in adults with morbid obesity. Given that thyroid function has been reported to return to normal after weight loss, research questions are also raised about the potential reversibility of thyroid structural abnormalities following substantial weight loss in previously morbidly obese patients.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Obese patients treated with bariatric surgery | Experimental | Procedure: Bariatric surgeryPatients with morbid obesity who were eligible for and willing to have bariatric surgery performed |
| Obese patients not treated with bariatric surgery | No intervention | –Age and BMI matched patients with morbid obesity who either were not eligible for or were not willing to have bariatric surgery performed - no sufficient number of matched patients has completed the study; the arm of obese patients not treated with bariatric surgery has been discarded for the purpose of the analyses |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2)
- Age: 18-65
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Diagnosis of obesity secondary to primary endocrine or systemic disease (e.g. Cushing's syndrome)
- Evidence of clinically relevant thyroid disease
- Chronic systematic inflammatory disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)
- Pregnancy
- Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. corticosteroids)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Bariatric surgerypatients who had received treatment with bariatric surgery for medical reasons | Procedure or surgery | Obese patients treated with bariatric surgery |
Primary outcome
Changes in thyroid morphology and thyroid function tests in morbidly obese patients following significant weight loss after bariatric surgery
Time frame: > 3 month or when relevant weight loss has been achieved
Measurement of thyroid ultrasound (grey scale assessment, volume, echogenicity) and thyroid function tests (free T4, free T3, TSH and rT3) at baseline and at least 3 months after surgery when relevant weight loss is achieved
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Mar 2018.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 34552538Ho AHY, Ma SHX, Tan MKB, Bajpai RC. A Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial of an Intergenerational Arts and Heritage-Based Intervention in Singapore: Project ARTISAN. Front Psychol. 2021 Sep 6;12:730709. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.730709. eCollection 2021.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 33425931Mapurunga MV, Andreoni S, de Oliveira DR, Sarubbi V Jr, Bonilha AC, D'Almeida V, Tomita L, Ramos LR, Demarzo M. Protocol for a Nested Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of the Mindfulness Based Health Promotion Program on the Quality of Life of Older Adults Assisted in Primary Care-"The MBHP-Elderly Study". Front Med (Lausanne). 2020 Nov 30;7:563099. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2020.563099. eCollection 2020.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 31866924Beit Yosef A, Jacobs JM, Shenkar S, Shames J, Schwartz I, Doryon Y, Naveh Y, Khalailh F, Berrous S, Gilboa Y. Activity Performance, Participation, and Quality of Life Among Adults in the Chronic Stage After Acquired Brain Injury-The Feasibility of an Occupation-Based Telerehabilitation Intervention. Front Neurol. 2019 Dec 6;10:1247. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01247. eCollection 2019.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 30197625Kyrou I, Adesanya O, Hedley N, Wayte S, Grammatopoulos D, Thomas CL, Weedall A, Sivaraman S, Pelluri L, Barber TM, Menon V, Randeva HS, Tedla M, Weickert MO. Improved Thyroid Hypoechogenicity Following Bariatric-Induced Weight Loss in Euthyroid Adults With Severe Obesity-a Pilot Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018 Aug 24;9:488. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00488. eCollection 2018.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Thyroid
RecruitingObservational study
Studies on Tumors of the Thyroid
Hurthle Cell Thyroid Cancer, Tall Cell Variant Thyroid Cancer
RecruitingObservational study
Prospective Comprehensive Molecular Analysis of Endocrine Neoplasms
Endocrine Tumors, Thyroid Neoplasms
Active, not recruitingPhase 2
Targeted Therapy Directed by Genetic Testing in Treating Patients With Advanced Refractory Solid Tumors, Lymphomas, or Multiple Myeloma (The MATCH Screening Trial)
Advanced Lymphoma, Advanced Malignant Solid Neoplasm
RecruitingObservational study
International PPB/DICER1 Registry
Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor
RecruitingPhase 2
The Use of 124-I-PET/CT Whole Body and Lesional Dosimetry in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid Cancer
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Bariatric surgery in people with Thyroid and Obesity, run by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Mar 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Changes in thyroid morphology and thyroid function tests in morbidly obese patients following significant weight loss after bariatric surgery (time frame: > 3 month or when relevant weight loss has been achieved). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03048708, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Mar 2018; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 27 Oct 2026.