Relationship between obesity and thyroid function in adults

Abstract

Objectives: Obesity affects prognosis of many comorbid diseasesnegatively. This study was conducted to investigate the relationshipbetween obesity and thyroid function.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conductedbetween December 2011 and December 2012. Consecutively selectedadults who applied to the outpatient clinics of Family Medicine andInternal Medicine, at Marmara University Hospital were recruited inthe study. Height and weight were measured and body mass index(BMI) was calculated. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), freethyroxine (fT4), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL),high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride and glucose levels weremeasured for every participant. According to their BMI, participantswere divided into three groups as normal weight (<25), overweight (25-30) and obese (≥30).Results: Data of 618 participants (53% female/47% male)was analyzed. Mean age was 43±15. There were 175 (28.3%)participants in normal weight, 242 (39.2%) in overweight and 201(32.5%) in obese groups. No statistically significant differencewas found between groups in terms of TSH or fT4. Statisticallysignificant difference was found in terms of lipid profiles andblood glucose between groups. Atherogenic lipid levels (totalcholesterol, LDL and triglyceride) and blood glucose werehigher and HLD levels were lower in overweight or obese groups (P<0.05) but there were no statistically significant differencesbetween overweight and obese groups (P>0.05).Conclusion: This study is one of the few studies in theliterature showing that there is no relationship between obesity andthyroid function.