Peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormone and glucose homeostasis.

Thyroid hormone action has long been recognized as an important determinant of glucose homeostasis. Recent advances in the knowledge of the physiology of the deiodinases indicate that through tissue-specific regulation of thyroid hormone metabolism, leading to local specificity of thyroid hormone action and target gene transcription patterns, they may have an important function in the modulation of carbohydrate metabolism. This review briefly addresses the role of thyroid hormone action on glucose homeostasis with a specific focus on the significance of the peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormone in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity.