Abstract

Background: Sub-clinical hypothyroidism (SCH), overt hypothyroidism and metabolic
syndrome (MetS) are recognized risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM- II).Thyroid function affects MetS parameters including
blood pressure (BP), fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum triglycerides (TG) and high density
lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). But the relationship between MetS and thyroid functions
is yet to be identified clearly.
The present study is to investigate the frequency of MetS in patients of SCH and overt
hypothyroidism.
Materials and Methods: A hospital based cross–sectional study was conducted
at Swastik referral laboratory and research centre. In this study, 50 patients with overt
hypothyroidism, 50 patients with SCH and 129 euthyroid controls were enrolled. National
Cholesterol Education Program- Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III; 2005) revision
criteria were used to diagnose metabolic syndrome. Thyroid function test (TFT: FT3, FT4
and TSH) was done by using chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and other tests
by using a semi-auto analyzer. ANalysis Of VAriance (ANOVA) test was performed using
SPSS (version 16.0).
Result: There was a significant difference in the mean of the waist circumference
(p=0.031), BP systolic (p=0.010), BP diastolic (p<0.001)), FBS (p=0.001), serum HDL-C
(p=0.031) and serum TG (p=0.003) between control, subclinical and overt hypothyroidism
group (p<0.001). Prevalence of MetS was 25.6 % in euthyroid controls whereas 44.0% in
the SCH group and 62.0% in the overt hypothyroid group (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction may be responsible for the development of metabolic
syndrome.

Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, overt hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism