Plasma total homocysteine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and thyroid function in metabolic syndrome patients

The aim of our study was to examine the levels of thyroid hormones, total plasma homocysteine and C-reactive protein in metabolic syndrome patients and assess the possibility of an association between these four risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

A total of 93 subjects were recruited for this study. (48 with metabolic syndrome and 45 as the control group). Basic demographic data, components of the metabolic syndrome, thyroid hormones, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and total plasma homocysteine were estimated for all subjects using standards methods. Appropriate statistic was used for data analysis.

Components of the metabolic syndrome, thyrotropin, total plasma homocysteine and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly higher in the study group (P<0.05) while free thyroxine and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly lower in the study group (P<0.05). The predominant type of thyroid dysfunction in the study group was sub-clinical hypothyroidism (87.5% in the study group compared to 18% in the control; P<0.05). Logistic regression showed significant association between sub-clinical hypothyroidism, total plasma homocysteine and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the study group.

There was a strong association between metabolic syndrome, sub- clinical hypopthyroidism, total plasma homocysteine and high-sensitivity C- reactive protein. Females are at an increased risk of this association.