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Associations between thyroid function, thyroid hormone sensitivity indices, and frailty: Insights from a large
Yusheng Zhang1, Daowen Zhang2, Chenwen Yuan1
1Division of Geriatric Endocrinology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Experimental Gerontology
|July 4, 2025
Summary
Thyroid hormone levels, particularly free triiodothyronine (FT3) and total triiodothyronine (TT3), are inversely associated with frailty in US adults. Monitoring thyroid function is crucial for early frailty identification and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gerontology
- Public Health
Background:
- Frailty is a significant health concern in aging populations.
- Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in metabolism and overall health.
- Understanding the link between thyroid function and frailty is essential for geriatric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between thyroid hormones and thyroid hormone sensitivity with frailty in US adults.
- To analyze these relationships across different age groups, including middle-aged and elderly populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 4011 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2007-2012).
- Assessed frailty using a 49-item Frailty Index (FI).
- Employed logistic regression, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, restricted cubic splines (RCS), and threshold effect analysis.
Main Results:
- 63.65% of participants were classified as frail.
- Frail individuals exhibited higher TSH, FT4, and TT4, but lower FT3 and TT3 levels.
- FT3 and TT3 showed a significant inverse association with frailty, particularly in younger and middle-aged adults. Nonlinear relationships were observed between frailty and various thyroid hormones and sensitivity indices.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid hormone levels and sensitivity are closely linked to frailty development.
- Monitoring thyroid function and sensitivity indices can aid in early frailty detection.
- These findings emphasize the importance of thyroid health in maintaining physical resilience during aging.
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