Association between hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Thyroid disorders are among the most common endocrine conditions, presenting a wide range of biochemical and clinical features with varying degrees of severity. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) consists of a group of abnormalities, including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Hypothyroidism is linked to hypertension, impaired carbohydrate metabolism, and dyslipidemia, all of which are components of MetS. Both hypothyroidism and MetS frequently occur in clinical practice, and their overlap increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, contributing to higher mortality rates. This study aimed to investigate the association between hypothyroidism and MetS by evaluating the relationships between TSH, FT4, and specific components of MetS. Conducted as a hospital-based case-control study at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute in Chennai, the study included 50 cases of hypothyroid patients and 50 controls of healthy euthyroid individuals. The presence of MetS was assessed in both groups, with findings revealing that 82% of hypothyroid patients had MetS, compared to 16% of the euthyroid population. In the hypothyroid group, waist circumference (WC) and HDL were significantly associated with TSH (p=0.018 and p=0.029, respectively). Among euthyroid individuals, positive correlations were observed between WC and TSH (p=0.031) and between triglycerides and TSH (p=0.020). Independent sample t-tests revealed statistically significant differences in WC (p=0.004) and fasting blood sugar (FBS) (p<0.001). Additionally, body mass index (BMI) showed a significant difference (p<0.001).