Metformin, T2DM and goitre

Metformin is an antidiabetic drug, frequently prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia. Recently, a few studies revealed possible effects of metformin treatment on thyroid-related characteristics, although no study on humans has investigated the effects of metformin  on the association between T2DM and thyroid volume. Therefore, Ittermann et al investigated these effects in a population-based cohort study.

Their study demonstrates a significant association between T2DM and thyroid volume in women not treated with metformin. The study also shows an inhibitory effect of metformin on prevalent and incident goitre. Anti-goitrogenous effects of metformin add to the general benefits of metformin treatment in T2DM. This is of particular relevance for populations from regions with current or former iodine deficiency, where goitre is highly prevalent.

Read the full article at Ittermann et al (2013) European Journal of Endocrinology 169; 9-15; DOI: 10.1530/EJE-13-0101.