Overnutrition in mice impairs thyroid hormone biosynthesis and utilization, causing hypothyroidism, despite remarkable thyroidal adaptations

Thyroid hormones (THs [T₃ and T₄]) are key regulators of metabolic rate and nutrient metabolism. They are controlled centrally and peripherally in a coordinated manner to elegantly match T₃-mediated energy expenditure (EE) with energy availability. Hypothyroidism reduces EE and has long been blamed for obesity; however, emerging evidence suggests that, instead, obesity may drive thyroid dysfunction. Thus, we used a mouse model of diet-induced obesity to determine its direct effects on thyroid histopathology and function, deiodinase activity, and T₃ action. Strikingly, overnutrition induced hypothyroidism within 3 weeks. Levels of thyroidal THs and their precursor protein thyroglobulin decreased, and ER stress was induced, indicating that thyroid function was directly impaired. We also observed pronounced histological and vascular expansion in the thyroid. Overnutrition additionally suppressed T₄ activation, rendering the mice resistant to T₄ and reducing EE. Our findings collectively show that overnutrition deals a double strike to TH biosynthesis and action, despite large efforts to adapt — but, fortunately, thyroid dysfunction in mice can be reversed by weight loss. In humans, BMI correlated with thyroidal vascularization, importantly demonstrating preliminary translatability. These studies lay the groundwork for obesity therapies that tackle hypothyroidism, which are much needed, as no current obesity treatment works for everyone.