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Associations between thyroid hormone levels and regional fat accumulation in euthyroid men
Min Kyong Moon1, Eun Shil Hong, Jung Ah Lim
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea.
European Journal of Endocrinology
|March 21, 2013
Summary
In euthyroid men, lower levels of free triiodothyronine (fT3) and free thyroxine (fT4) correlate with higher body mass index (BMI) and increased pericardial fat. These thyroid hormones are key indicators of regional adiposity.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Health
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- Ectopic fat accumulation significantly impacts metabolic and cardiovascular health.
- Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating metabolism and body composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between thyroid function and regional fat distribution in euthyroid men.
- To determine if thyroid hormone levels correlate with ectopic fat accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 100 euthyroid men.
- Regional fat quantification using 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography.
- Multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for age.
Main Results:
- Free triiodothyronine (fT3) inversely correlated with BMI and LDL cholesterol.
- Free thyroxine (fT4) inversely correlated with waist circumference and BMI.
- Both fT3 and fT4 were significantly associated with increased pericardial fat volume, independent of age.
- fT3 also showed inverse associations with intramuscular and hepatic fat quantities.
Conclusions:
- Lower fT3 and fT4 levels are significantly linked to increased BMI and pericardial fat in euthyroid men.
- Thyroid function, particularly fT3 and fT4, is an important factor in regional fat accumulation.
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