Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum thyrotropin (TSH), insulin resistance (IR), and cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) in a sample of overweight and obese Brazilian adolescents.
Methods: A retrospective, longitudinal analysis of 199 overweight and obese pubescent adolescents was performed. The TSH and free T4 (fT4) levels, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory test results of these patients were analyzed.
Results: 27 individuals (13.56%) presented with TSH levels above the normal level (subclinical hypothyroidism [SCH]). Their waist circumference (WC) was significantly higher than those of euthyroid individuals. Serum TSH was positively correlated with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Using TSH and BMI as independent variables, TSH levels were shown to be independently related to HOMA-IR (p=0.001) and TG (p=0.007). Among euthyroid subjects, individuals with TSH values <2.5mIU/mL exhibited statistically significant decreases in waist-to-hip ratio, HDL-C levels, and HOMA-IR scores and a tendency toward lower WC values.
Conclusion: SCH in overweight and obese adolescents appears to be associated with excess weight, especially visceral weight. In euthyroid adolescents, there appears to be a direct relationship between TSH and some CRF. In conclusion, in the present sample of overweight and obese adolescents, TSH levels appear to be associated with IR and CRF.
Keywords: Adolescentes; Adolescents; Cardiovascular risk factors; Fatores de risco cardiovascular; Hipotireoidismo subclínico; Obesidade; Obesity; Overweight; Sobrepeso; Subclinical hypothyroidism.
Copyright © 2016 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.