The Claim
Food restriction in growing pigs is associated with reduced conversion of thyroxine (T4) to 3,3',5'-tri-iodothyronine (rT3) in liver tissue but not in kidney tissue, except under conditions of complete fasting, indicating tissue-specific differences in deiodinase regulation during energy deficit.
What the research says
Roughly balanced
Support and challenge are close. The picture may shift as more studies come in.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In growing pigs, limiting food intake reduces the conversion of thyroxine to rT3 in the liver but not in the kidneys, unless the pigs are completely deprived of food, showing that these two tissues regulate this metabolic process differently during energy shortage.
See the scientific wording
Food restriction in growing pigs is associated with reduced conversion of thyroxine (T4) to 3,3',5'-tri-iodothyronine (rT3) in liver tissue, but not in kidney tissue, unless animals are completely fasted, indicating tissue-specific differences in deiodinase regulation during energy deficit.
When food intake drops, the liver reduces its ability to convert thyroid hormone into an inactive form called rT3, but the kidney keeps doing this unless the animal stops eating entirely. This difference happens because the liver's enzyme that handles this conversion shuts down under low energy, while the kidney's enzyme stays active until food is completely gone.
What the research says
1 studyWhen young pigs eat less, their liver slows down making an inactive thyroid hormone (rT3), but their kidneys don’t — unless they stop eating completely. This shows different organs react differently to not eating enough.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.