Thyroid hormones, metabolic syndrome and Vitamin D in middle-aged and older euthyroid subjects: a preliminary study

Aging Clin Exp Res. 2019 Sep;31(9):1337-1341. doi: 10.1007/s40520-018-1071-1. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Abstract

Aim: To explore the relationship between thyroid hormones, Vitamin D (Vit.D) serum concentrations and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in euthyroid subjects.

Methods: 123 community-dwelling subjects were enrolled. According to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values the sample was divided into: (1) group 1 (TSH ≤ 2 mU/L); (2) group 2 (TSH > 2 mU/L).

Results: Group 2 showed higher percentage of subjects with MetS (p = 0.003) and hypertension (p = 0.031), higher values of waist circumference (WC) (p = 0.007), parathyroid hormone (p = 0.016), glycaemia (p = 0.045), triglycerides (p = 0.034) and free T4 (fT4) (p = 0.013). Correlation analysis showed several weak significant correlations: MetS with TSH (r = 0.202, p = 0.031) and fT3 (r = - 0.206, p = 0.028); THS with body mass index (r = 0.187, p = 0.047) and hypertension (r = 0.199, p = 0.034); Vit.D with WC (r = - 0.185, p = 0.04).

Conclusions: Our results showed a possible association between thyroid hormones and MetS. Visceral fat and insulin resistance may be an interesting link between Vit.D and TSH levels.

Keywords: Cardiovascular risk; Euthyroidism; Metabolic syndrome; Thyroid hormones levels; Vitamin D.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / blood
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Thyrotropin / blood*
  • Vitamin D / blood*
  • Waist Circumference / physiology

Substances

  • Vitamin D
  • Thyrotropin