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Incidence of Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Obese Adults and Its Metabolic Implications: A Prospective Cohort Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is characterized by elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and normal free thyroxine (FT4) levels. It may also assume the status of comorbidity with obesity and may cause augmented dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of SCH and its association with the metabolic aberrations in obese adults. METHODS: and above) who were tested during six months in Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. The clinical and demographic data of the anthropometric measurements were also recorded. The laboratory tests were interpreted to identify serum TSH, FT4, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and insulin resistance calculated through the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). SCH featured TSH.4.5 mIU/L with normal FT4. The data were analyzed by using the chi-square test, independent t-tests, and Pearson with p < 0.05. RESULTS: SCH was present in 41.0% (82/200) of obese adults. SCH patients had significantly greater BMI, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, and LDL-C (all p < 0.05) but lower levels of HDL-C (p = 0.004). TSH showed positive correlations with BMI (r = 0.32), HOMA-IR (r = 0.41), and lipid abnormalities and a negative correlation with HDL-C (r = -0.22, p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: SCH was seen to be more common in obese adults and was strongly associated with poor metabolic phenotypes. Thyroid screening within the early years of obese patients would facilitate an appropriate early diagnosis and treatment process to mitigate cardiometabolic risk.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.95661

Authors: Umer Jameel, Obaidullah Durrani, Ahmad Munib, Amanullah Khan

Institutions: Russells Hall Hospital, University of Sargodha, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, University of the Punjab, University of Health Sciences Lahore

Language: English

Topic: Thyroid Disorders and Treatments

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4415659937