Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis and obesity

Abstract

Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism which may associate weight increase and changes in serum lipid levels. There is still controversy over the link between obesity and autoimmune hypothyroidism. The paper aims to assess obesity and lipid metabolism in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and to establish a correlation between TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), FT4 (free thyroxine) levels, and the titer of antithyroid antibodies.

Keywords

• thyroid
• obesity
• autoimmune thyroiditis
• leptin