New thyroid receptor ligands are provided which have general formula (I) in which: n is an integer from 0 to 4; R₁ is halogen, trifluoromethyl, or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons or cycloalkyl of 3 to 7 carbons; R₂ and R₃ are the same or different and are hydrogen, halogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbons or cycloalkyl of 3 to 5 carbons, at least one of R₂ and R₃ being other than hydrogen; R₄ is a carboxylic acid amide (CONRR") or an acylsulphonamide (CONHSO2R) derivative, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and all stereoisomers thereof; or when n is equal to or greater than one, R₄ may be a heteroaromatic moiety which may be substituted or unsubstituted, or an amine (NRR"). R₅ is hydrogen or an acyl (such as acetyl or benzoyl) or other group capable of bioconversion to generate the free phenol structure (wherein R₅=H). In addition, a method is provided for preventing, inhibiting or treating a disease associated with metabolism dysfunction or which is dependent upon the expression of a T₃ regulated gene, wherein a compound as described above is administered in a therapeutically effective amount. Examples of such diseases associated with metabolism dysfunction or are dependent upon the expression of a T₃ regulated gene include obesity, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmias, depression, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, goiter, thyroid cancer as well as glaucoma, congestive heart failure and skin disorders.