Serum TSH levels are associated with cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese adolescents

• Main Authors: Luciana Lopes de Souza, Erika Paniago Guedes, Patrícia Fátima dos Santos Teixeira, Rodrigo Oliveira Moreira, Amelio Fernando Godoy-Matos, Mario Vaisman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier
• Series: Jornal de Pediatria
• Subjects: Subclinical hypothyroidism; Adolescents; Obesity; Overweight; Cardiovascular risk factors
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0021-75572016000600532&lng=en&tlng=en

Abstract Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum thyrotropin (TSH), insulin resistance (IR), and cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) in a sample of overweight and obese Brazilian adolescents. Methods: A retrospective, longitudinal analysis of 199 overweight and obese pubescent adolescents was performed. The TSH and free T4 (fT4) levels, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory test results of these patients were analyzed. Results: 27 individuals (13.56%) presented with TSH levels above the normal level (subclinical hypothyroidism [SCH]). Their waist circumference (WC) was significantly higher than those of euthyroid individuals. Serum TSH was positively correlated with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Using TSH and BMI as independent variables, TSH levels were shown to be independently related to HOMA-IR (p = 0.001) and TG (p = 0.007). Among euthyroid subjects, individuals with TSH values <2.5 mIU/mL exhibited statistically significant decreases in waist-to-hip ratio, HDL-C levels, and HOMA-IR scores and a tendency toward lower WC values. Conclusion: SCH in overweight and obese adolescents appears to be associated with excess weight, especially visceral weight. In euthyroid adolescents, there appears to be a direct relationship between TSH and some CRF. In conclusion, in the present sample of overweight and obese adolescents, TSH levels appear to be associated with IR and CRF.