Association of subclinical hypothyroidism with metabolic syndrome in females of reproductive age

Abstract

Background and objective: The association of metabolic syndrome and subclinical hypothyroidism is a matter of debate. Both confer an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and previous studies showed overlap between features of both conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the association of subclinical hypothyroidism with metabolic syndrome in young women. Methods: This case control study was conducted in the internal medicine consultation department of Rizgary Teaching Hospital Erbil, Iraq, from May 2017 to May 2018. Sixty eight consecutive women with the metabolic syndrome as per the Harmonizing definition were compared to 95 age matched women with no metabolic syndrome as a control group. Detailed history and physical examination with blood pressure and waist circumferences recorded and appropriate fasting blood samples were tested for plasma glucose, lipid profile, TSH, free T3, and free T4. Results: Subclinical hypothyroidism was present in 10 (14.7%) of the 68 women with metabolic syndrome and four women (4.2%) of the 95 control group with a significant difference (P = 0.018). Central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and low levels of high density lipoprotein were present in 9 (17.3%), 9 (23.1%), and 10 (16.4%) women with subclinical hypothyroidism with a significant difference for each association (P = 0.013, 0.001 and 0.006, respectively). Conclusion: There is a significant association between subclinical hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome in young women.

Keywords

• metabolic syndrome
• subclinical hypothyroidism
• young women