Dynamics of the renal excretion of glycosaminoglycans as affected by thyroid therapy of hypothyroidism

The state of renal excretion of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) was investigated in 15 patients with hypothyrosis of various degree of gravity before and during thyroid therapy. A raised level of GAG excretion with urine reflecting excessive GAG tissue accumulation was revealed. A degree of elevation was unrelated to a gravity of disease and grew with a period of disease. Thyroid therapy considerably increased GAG renal excretion, particularly in patients with a longer period of disease. A GAG level in daily urine can be used as an additional diagnostic criterion in hypothyrosis and the time course of GAG can serve for assessment of therapeutic efficacy.