Abstract :
Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (Met S) comprise of a group of interconnected metabolic
abnormalities, including increased waist circumference, glucose intolerance, systemic hypertension, and
dyslipidemia. Recent evidences show metabolic syndrome being increasingly linked to other endocrine
abnormalities like diabetes, polycystic ovary disease including thyroid disorder. Undiagnosed TD in
patients of MetS may compound to the cardiovascular risk already posed by the components of MetS,
thereby increasing mortality rates.
Objectives: To assess the thyroid status in MetS in comparison to healthy controls. To correlate the
components of MetS with thyroid status.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 35 patients with metabolic syndrome (NCEP ATP
III criteria) and 35 healthy controls in Bowring & Lady Curzon Hospital, attached to BMCRI, Bangalore.
Waist circumference and blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood glucose (FBS), lipid profile were
assayed in auto analyser and thyroid function test was performed by immunoassay. Statistical data analysis
was done using Student t -test and Pearson correlation coefficient.
Result: The mean value of the factors of Met S showed significant differences between the cases and
controls.TSH was significantly higher (P = 0.0307) in the Met S group than in the control group, whereas
T3 and T4 levels were not significant. Increased waist circumference positively correlated with increased
TSH and was statistically significant. FBS, HDL, blood pressure negatively correlated with higher TSH
while triglyceride positively related with increased TSH but none of them were statistically significant.
Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction, predominantly subclinical hypothyroidism was seen more frequent in
patients with metabolic syndrome. Hence it is important to screen patients having metabolic syndrome for
thyroid dysfunction in order to prevent the cardiovascular related mortality.
Keyword :
Metabolic syndrome, Central obesity, Subclinical hypothyroidism, Hyperglycemia, Waist circumference, TSH.