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Thyroid function and metabolic syndrome in the population-based LifeLines cohort study.
Bruce H R Wolffenbuttel1, Hanneke J C M Wouters2, Sandra N Slagter2
1Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, HPC AA31, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands. bwo@umcg.nl.
BMC Endocrine Disorders
|October 18, 2017
Summary
Thyroid function, specifically free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels, is linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence. Higher FT3 levels significantly increase MetS risk in both men and women.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Health
- Population Health
Background:
- Metabolic syndrome (MetS) comprises abdominal obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, and impaired fasting glucose.
- Previous research suggests a link between thyroid function and MetS components, including insulin resistance.
- This study investigates the relationship between thyroid function and MetS prevalence in a large population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between thyroid hormones (TSH, FT4, FT3) and the prevalence of MetS.
- To examine gender-specific differences in the relationship between thyroid function and MetS.
- To identify specific MetS components associated with thyroid hormone levels.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 26,719 adults (18-80 years) in the Dutch LifeLines Cohort study.
- Participants had normal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels.
- MetS defined by revised NCEP ATP III criteria; prevalence calculated across TSH, FT4, and FT3 quartiles.
Main Results:
- Men exhibited higher FT4, FT3, blood pressure, and lipid levels than women.
- Lower FT4 associated with higher MetS prevalence in men; in women, it linked to elevated triglycerides and waist circumference.
- Adjusted analyses revealed FT3 associated with MetS components in both sexes, with higher FT3 quartiles predicting significantly increased MetS prevalence (49-80%).
Conclusions:
- Higher plasma FT3 levels are associated with multiple MetS components after adjusting for confounders.
- Lower FT4 is linked to MetS specifically in men.
- Elevated FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio significantly increase the risk of developing MetS, suggesting a potential role in its pathogenesis.