Associations between cardiovascular health and low thyroid function among US adults: a population-based study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with normal thyroid hormone levels may negatively impact cardiovascular health (CVH).
• The study investigates the association between the revised Life's Essential 8 (LE8) cardiovascular health evaluation and low thyroid function in US adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between Life's Essential 8 (LE8) scores and the prevalence of low thyroid function.
• To determine if improved cardiovascular health metrics are linked to a reduced risk of low thyroid function.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2007-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
• Defined low thyroid function as low-normal thyroid function or subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).
• Employed multivariable logistic regressions to analyze the association between LE8 scores and low thyroid function.

Main Results:

• Among 6,315 participants, 21.77% had low thyroid function.
• Higher LE8 scores were significantly associated with a lower probability of low thyroid function (OR per 10-point increase: 0.923).
• Improved scores in physical activity, BMI, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure correlated with reduced low thyroid function rates.

Conclusions:

• LE8 and health factor scores showed a nonlinear, negative relationship with low thyroid function prevalence.
• Promoting optimal cardiovascular health may mitigate the burden of low thyroid function and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).