Presence and association of sub clinical hypothyroidism in subjects with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Aims: To determine the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) among subjects with metabolic syndrome and to find out the relationship of subclinical hypothyroidism with different components of metabolic syndrome.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Endocrinology, Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM), Dhaka during the period of April 2008-March 2009. One hundred and seventy three subjects with metabolic syndrome (according to IDF criteria) aged 20-69 years were included in the study. After primary selection, FPG and lipid profile were done. Those who had FPG≥100mg/dl or dislipidemia were selected for routine investigations such as SGPT, S. creatinine, TC, DC, ESR, HB%, ECG, and Ultrasonography of whole abdomen to exclude liver disease, renal disease, acute illness and cardiac disease respectively. Patients having normal investigations were finally selected for serum level of FT4 and TSH.

Results: A total of 173 subjects (105 male, and 68 female,) with metabolic syndrome were studied. Among them 14.3% (n=15) of male and 19.1% (n=13) of female had SCH. SCH was found more in obese subjects (BMI≥25kg/m(2) vs. BMI<25kg/m(2)). There was no significant difference among different parameters of metabolic syndrome in subjects with or without SCH. Although SCH was more prevalent in those who had hypertrigyceridemia and hypertension, there was no association between presence of fatty liver and SCH.

Conclusions: Among the study subjects 14.3% male and 19.1% female had SCH. SCH is more prevalent in 41-60 years age group. No significant association was found among different parameters of MetS with SCH, however, when they constitute metabolic syndrome; there was a significant association between MetS and SCH.