Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2025
07:54
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
20.0K
Associations Among Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Thyroid Function and Morphology Changes
Yushan Xie1,2, Hongli Zhang3, Zine Cao1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
Nature and Science of Sleep
|August 4, 2025
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to thyroid changes, with specific differences in men and women, and across age groups. Severe OSA patients showed altered thyroid function and morphology, highlighting the need for stratified analysis.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Sleep Medicine
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition with potential systemic effects.
- Thyroid dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a comorbidity of OSA.
- Understanding the relationship between OSA, thyroid function, and morphology is crucial for comprehensive patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the complex interplay between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), thyroid function, and morphological changes.
- To identify sex- and age-specific differences in these associations.
- To explore potential correlations between thyroid parameters and OSA severity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of data from 1,102 patients diagnosed with OSA.
- Stratification of patients into severe and non-severe OSA groups based on polysomnography results.
- Analysis of thyroid function (FT3, TT3, RT3) and thyroid morphology (volume, isthmus length, artery diameter, RI) with consideration for sex and age.
Main Results:
- Severe OSA was associated with higher serum FT3, TT3, and RT3 levels in the total population.
- Distinct sex differences were observed: higher thyroid hormones in severe OSA males, but not females.
- Age-stratified analysis revealed specific patterns for FT3, TT3, and RT3.
- Reverse triiodothyronine (RT3) correlated with left inferior thyroid artery diameter and lowest nocturnal SpO2.
- Severe OSA patients exhibited increased thyroid volume, isthmus length, and ITA diameter, alongside reduced left thyroid lobe RI.
Conclusions:
- A significant association exists between thyroid function/morphology and OSA, with notable sex- and age-related variations.
- Reduced RI in severe OSA may indicate impaired vascular health.
- Increased thyroid volume and isthmus length in severe OSA could be linked to ITA changes.
- Integrated assessment of thyroid function and morphology is vital for understanding OSA-thyroid pathophysiology.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Sleep Apnea
220
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
The condition is more prevalent among...
220
01:18Functions of Thyroid Hormones
3.2K
The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
3.2K
01:20Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
5.1K
Low blood levels of the thyroid hormones — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — signal the hypothalamus to release the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then reaches the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) into the bloodstream.
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The...
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The...
5.1K
01:23The Thyroid Gland
4.4K
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck and covers the anterior surface of the trachea. The gland has two lateral lobes connected by a thin tissue mass called the isthmus. Internally, each lobe comprises many small spherical structures known as thyroid follicles, surrounded by a network of blood vessels.
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...
4.4K
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
1.6K
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
1.6K
01:17Other Pulmonary Disorders
911
Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
911