Association of Thyroid Status with Metabolic Markers in Young Women of South Indian Origin - A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Thyroid hormone is known to regulate metabolisms which are an integral part of normal growth and development. It affects key metabolisms involved in energy storage and expenditure. We wanted to study the correlation of thyroid function test with metabolic markers. METHODS After appropriate clearance from Human Institutional Ethics Committee and proper permission from author of article by Dr Sindhu et al, the secondary, blinded data was adopted for this study. This is an observational, cross-sectional retrospective study. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and lipid and thyroid profile were analysed in overnight fasting sample. As per our inclusion and exclusion criteria 120 of 253 subjects included in primary study were recruited in our study. Statistical analysis was done in Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS software version 16.0. ATP III criteria were used as a benchmark for metabolic syndrome markers. RESULTS Our study suggests that prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was higher in young South Indian women and it significantly correlated with the markers of metabolic syndrome like BMI, waist circumference, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and systolic blood pressure. TSH values strongly correlated with BMI and LDL values. FT4 values correlated well with LDL. CONCLUSIONS High TSH and lower thyroxine values in blood can be a marker associated with metabolic syndrome. Our study suggests routine screening for thyroid status and lipid profile in young females to categorize them as high risk for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity along with anthropometric measurements. The study can be continued by long term follow up of the study subjects and correlation of these study subjects into mid or old age can give significant information of their cardiac status at that age. Counseling on appropriate diet and lifestyle modification may be beneficial for young people categorized as high risk to reduce the cardiovascular mortality later in life. KEYWORDS Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Free Thyroxine, BMI, Lipid Profile