Relation with HOMA-IR and thyroid hormones in obese Turkish women with metabolic syndrome

Histological and biochemical effects of an ethanolic extract of Myrtus communis leaf on the pancreases of rats fed high fat diets

We investigated the effects of an ethanolic extract of Myrtus communis subsp. communis (MC) leaves on the pancreases of rats fed with a high fat diet (HFD). Wistar albino rats were fed either with standard lab chow (Control group) or with a 45% fat diet (HFD and HFD+MC groups) for 4 months, with the MC extract (100 mg/kg) being administered by orogastric gavage to rats in the HFD+MC group during the last month. Blood and pancreas samples were collected from all experimental groups at the end of the study. Insulin and leptin levels, and the lipid profile, were analyzed in the blood serum. Pancreatic injury was assessed histologically. Insulin, nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were assessed using immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis was assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) immunohistochemistry. In addition, oxidant/antioxidant activity was analyzed by biochemical methods. Increased body weight, serum insulin and leptin levels, blood glucose level and pancreatic tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and decreased tissue glutathione (GSH) level were observed in the HFD group compared to the Control group, in addition to dyslipidemia. An increased histopathological damage score, pancreatic islet area, insulin, TUNEL, NF-κB and α-SMA immunoreactivity were seen in animals from the HFD group compared to the Control group. However, such pathological changes were reduced in the HFD+MC group. Our data indicate further investigation of MC extract as a therapeutic adjuvant for HFD-induced pancreatic injury, acting via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms, is worth carrying out.

Elevated Free Thyroxine Levels Might Alter the Effect of the Lipid Profile on Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Previous studies have shown that hyperthyroidism is associated with heightened insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Therefore, in this study, we aim to explore the relationship between elevated thyroid hormone levels and the lipid profile in insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with hyperthyroidism. A total of 177 participants were included and grouped according to diagnosis. The serum test results demonstrated that free thyroxine (FT4) increased the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) by positively correlating with triglyceride (TG) levels (p = 0.005, r2 = 0.35). In patients with T2DM with hyperthyroidism, the decreasing high-density lipoprotein levels showed an association with HOMA-IR (p = 0.005). Among all the patients, with different levels of FT4, the areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) of the TG level, TG/high-density lipoprotein ratio, and HOMA-IR were 0.620 (95% CI: 0.536 to 0.698), 0.614 (95% CI: 0.530 to 0.692), and 0.722 (95% CI: 0.645 to 0.791), respectively. Our results suggest that elevated FT4 levels due to hyperthyroidism could alter the association with the lipid profile and insulin resistance in patients with T2DM. We also suggest that among all the included patients with T2DM, irrespective of the presence of hyperthyroidism, FT4 levels are positively correlated with insulin resistance.

Predictive Effects of FT3/FT4 on Diabetic Kidney Disease: An Exploratory Study on Hospitalized Euthyroid Patients with T2DM in China

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the correlation between the free-triiodothyronine (FT3)-to-free-thyroxine (FT4) ratio (FT3/FT4) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed 1729 patients with T2DM hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology, Peking University International Hospital, from January 2017 to August 2021, including 1075 males and 654 females. In accordance with the FT3/FT4, the patients were divided into three groups.

RESULTS

(1) The levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and postprandial blood glucose (PBG) among the three groups were significantly different, with the low FT3/FT4 group having the highest HbA1c, FBG and PBG among the three groups (F = 39.39, p < 0.01; F = 27.04, p < 0.01; F = 5.76, p = 0.03; respectively). (2) The proportion of DKD is the highest in the low FT3/FT4 group and the lowest in the high FT3/FT4 group (χ2 = 25.83, p < 0.01). (3) Logistic regression showed that low FT3/FT4 were independent risk factors for DKD (OR = 2.36, 95 CI% 1.63, 3.43; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

A decrease in the FT3/FT4 is an independent predictor of DKD occurrence in patients with T2DM.

Obezitede İnsülin Direnci ve İnflamasyon

Objectives: Obesity is one of the predominant risk factors associated with insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes, and many metabolic syndromes. In this study, we aimed to investigate inflammatory parameters and their relationship with IR and blood groups in obese individuals. Materials and Methods: The demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), biochemical parameters, hemogram values, and blood group types of individuals in the obesity and control groups were recorded and compared. Results: The mean age was 37.37±11.43 years in obese individuals and 41.8% (n=77) of them had IR. Neutrophil and monocyte counts of the obese individuals with IR were significantly higher than those of the individuals without IR in the control and the obesity groups (p

Interplay between metabolic and thyroid parameters in obese pubertal children. Does visceral adipose tissue make the first move?

Objectives: The mechanisms of obesity-associated thyroid dysfunction in children are incompletely deciphered. We aimed to evaluate whether visceral adipose tissue (VAT), insulin resistance (IR), inflammation, oxidative stress (OS) are involved in thyroid morpho-functional changes in pubertal obese children. Methods: We recruited 43 obese pubertal children without history of thyroid pathology. Metabolic and thyroid parameters (visceral fat thickness [VFT], waist/hip ratio [WHR], waist/height ratio [WHtR], insulin, glucose, liver parameters, thyroid stimulation hormone [TSH], free thyroxine [FT4], free triiodothyronine [FT3], thyroid and abdominal ultrasonography) were evaluated. Serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were quantified as markers of inflammation and OS. Results: VFT correlated positively both with WHR (p= 0.034) and the presence of thyroid nodules (p= 0.036). WHR associated with TSH (p= 0.005), FT3/FT4 (p= 0.033) and was independently associated with FT3/FT4 increase (p< 0.001). HOMA-IR increased with visceral obesity (waist circumference, p= 0.001; WHR, p= 0.018; WHtR: p< 0.001), hepatic impairment (alanine aminotransferase, p= 0.019) and hepatic steatosis (HS; p= 0.013) and correlated positively with FT3/FT4 (p= 0.036). TSH was significantly higher in subjects with HS versus those without HS (p= 0.007) and logistic regression analysis identified TSH as a risk factor for HS (p= 0.014). MDA correlated positively with MCP-1 (p= 0.021). Conclusion: VAT and IR may be responsible for changes in thyroid parameters associated with obesity: elevated TSH, FT3/FT4 levels and increased prevalence of thyroid nodules. WHR was predictive of increased FT3/FT4. In obese children, there is an interdependent relationship between HS and thyroid function.

The effect of Metformin treatment in obese insulin-resistant patients with euthyroid goiter

Objective The study's objective was to evaluate the thyroid parameters in obese insulin-resistant patients with euthyroid diffuse or nodular goiter, following Metformin treatment. Patients and methods The study was experimental, open, and prospective. Fifty-three patients aged 18-68 were enrolled for two years. Obese insulin-resistant patients (cut-off Homeostasis-Model-Assessment of Insulin Resistance-HOMA-IR ≥ 2.5) with euthyroid nodular/diffuse goiter were included. Subjects with diabetes, hypo-/hyper-thyroidism, autoimmune thyroiditis, psychiatric disorders, liver or heart failure were excluded. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment: Metformin 1000 mg/day + Levothyroxine 25 μg/day (M + LT4 group) and only Levothyroxine 25 μg/day (LT4 group). Thyroid and metabolic parameters' evolution was investigated over six months. Results The two groups were comparable at baseline (p ≥ 0.10). TSH, waist/hip ratio (WHR), visceral fat thickness (VFT), insulin, and HOMA-IR decreased significantly more in M + LT4 group compared to LT4 group. TSH decrease correlated with WHR reduction (p = 0.002) only in M + LT4 group. Moreover, the multivariate regression analysis revealed that insulin's and HOMA-IR levels' decrease was an independent factor associated with FT4's increase (p = 0.031, p = 0.033) just in M + LT4 group. No other independent association between the evolution (Δ) of TSH, thyroid volume (TTV), thyroid nodules-maximum diameter (TN-MD), and metabolic parameters was found. In addition, no significant threshold between groups was reached when ΔFT4, ΔTTV, ΔTN-MD were compared (p > 0.07), although their significant improvement was recorded between the baseline and the follow-up moment in each group (p < 0.003). Conclusion Metformin added to obese insulin-resistant patients treated with Levothyroxine for diffuse/nodular goiter determined a significant decrease in TSH and metabolic parameters, compared to those treated with Levothyroxine alone, but no significant difference regarding thyroid morphology after 6 months.

Metabolic Syndrome and Subclinical Hypothyroidism: A Type 2 Diabetes-Dependent Association

INTRODUCTION

Subclinical hypothyroidism (ScH) is an endocrine alteration that is related to cardiovascular risk factors, including those categorized as components of the Metabolic Syndrome (MS). However, findings in prior reports regarding an association between these alterations are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between both entities in adult subjects from Maracaibo City, Venezuela.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Maracaibo City Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence Study is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with random and multistage sampling. In this substudy, 391 individuals of both genders were selected and TSH, free T3, and free T4 tests were performed as well as a complete lipid profile, fasting glycaemia, and insulin blood values. ScH was defined according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) criteria: high TSH (≥4.12mUI/L) and normal free T4 (0.9-1,9 ng/dL) in subjects without personal history of thyroid disease. MS components were defined according to IDF/AHA/NHLBI/WHF/IAS/IASO-2009 criteria. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between MS components and ScH diagnosis.

RESULTS

Of the evaluated population, 10.5% (n=41) was diagnosed with ScH, with a higher prevalence in women (female: 13.6% versus male: 7.7%; χ2=3.56, p=0.05). Likewise, 56.1% (n=23) of the subjects with ScH were diagnosed with MS (χ2=4.85; p=0.03), being hyperglycemia the main associated criterion (χ2=11.7; p=0.001). In multivariable analysis, it was observed that the relationship was exclusive with the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) OR: 3.22 (1.14-9.14); p=0.03.

CONCLUSION

The relationship between ScH and MS in our population is dependent on the presence of hyperglycemia, specifically T2DM diagnosis, findings that vary from those previously reported in Latin American subjects.

Thyroid disorders in obese patients. Does insulin resistance make a difference?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between insulin resistance and thyroid pathology in obese patients, and compare the results between insulin-resistant and noninsulin-resistant patients.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Obese/nondiabetic patients, aged 18-70 years, attending the outpatient endocrinology service for 2 years were consecutively included. We evaluated the patients' fasting plasma glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), antithyroperoxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), antithyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab), and thyroid ultrasound.

RESULTS

We included 82 patients with a mean age 44.21 ± 12.67 years. The thyroid disorders encountered and their prevalences were: hypothyroidism (14.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.6-23.8%), hyperthyroidism (1.2%, 95% CI 2.0-6.6%), goiter (28.0%, 95% CI 19.5-3.6%), thyroid nodules (35.4%, 95% CI 25.9-46.2%), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (32.9%, 95% CI 23.7-43.7%). HOMA-IR correlated positively with TSH levels (r = 0.24, p = 0.028), and this correlation remained after adjustment for body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), serum cortisol, subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), visceral fat thickness (VFT), triglycerides, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in multivariate regression analysis (b = 0.207, 95% CI, 0.09-0.385, p = 0.023). TSH levels were significantly higher in patients with HOMA-IR ≥ 2.5 than in those with HOMA-IR < 2.5 (2.03 μIU/mL, interquartile range [IQR] 1.59-2.69 μIU/mL) versus 1.59 μIU/mL, IQR 0.94-2.26 μIU/mL, p = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

The most prevalent thyroid disorder in patients attending our endocrinology clinic for investigation of obesity was thyroid nodules. One in seven patients had hypothyroidism. Our findings suggest that TSH levels correlate with insulin resistance in obese patients.

The Risk for Insulin Resistance according to the Degree of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Korean Men

Insulin resistance (IR) plays a significant role in the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the natural course of insulin sensitivity under NAFLD remained unclear. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate the effect of NAFLD on insulin resistance. A total of 20,628 Korean men without homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR < 2.7) were followed-up for 5 years. They were serially checked for HOMA-IR to monitor the development of IR (HOMA-IR ≥ 2.7). The incidence rate of IR increased according to the degree of NAFLD (normal: 11.6%, mild: 28.8%, moderate to severe: 40.5%, P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazards model showed that HRs (95% CI) for IR increased proportionally to the degree of NAFLD (mild: 1.19 [1.02-1.39], moderate to severe: 1.32 [1.08-1.57]). IR was more potentially associated with the more progressive NAFLD than normal and milder state. In addition, NAFLD was the independent risk factor of the development of IR. These results suggest the potential availability of NAFLD as a predictor of IR.

Relationship between metabolic syndrome and epicardial fat tissue thickness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE

An increase in epicardial fat tissue (EFT) thickness was found to be associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) and ischemic heart disease. MS is a comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) resulting from the accompanying systemic inflammation. The aim of our study was to investigate the usefulness of EFT thickness to predict MS in COPD patients.

METHODS

COPD patients admitted to our clinic during January-December 2014 and healthy controls were included in this prospective case control study. Patients with comorbidities, COPD exacerbation, and malignancies were excluded. Patients and controls were compared in terms of anthropometric measurements, MS-related examination and laboratory findings, pulmonary function tests, and EFT thickness. The correlations between EFT thickness and markers of MS in COPD were evaluated using the Student's t-test and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

COPD patients and controls were composed of 82 and 84 individuals, respectively. MS was diagnosed in 31 (37.8%) COPD patients. The EFT thickness was significantly higher in COPD patients than in the controls and was also higher in COPD patients with MS than in those without MS (all p<0.001). Each 1-mm increment of EFT raised the risk of MS two-fold (p=0.011, OR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.18-3.68). Increase in triglyceride level (p=0.004, OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03) and reduction in forced vital capacity (p=0.025, OR=0.26, 95% CI: 0.08-0.84) were found to be associated with increased MS risk. The cut-off value for EFT thickness in the prediction of MS in COPD patients was 6.75 mm (sensitivity: 83%, specificity: 65%).

CONCLUSION

EFT thickness is a non-invasive and easily available parameter, which is valuable in the prediction of increased MS risk in COPD patients. Early diagnosis of patients at risk of MS may help to prevent ischemic heart disease in these patients.

Biomarkers of Metabolic Syndrome: Biochemical Background and Clinical Significance

Biomarkers of the metabolic syndrome are divided into four subgroups. Although dividing them in groups has some limitations, it can be used to draw some conclusions. In a first part, the dyslipidemias and markers of oxidative stress are discussed, while inflammatory markers and cardiometabolic biomarkers are reviewed in a second part. For most of them, the biochemical background and clinical significance are discussed, although here also a well-cut separation cannot always be made. Altered levels cannot always be claimed as the cause, risk, or consequence of the syndrome. Several factors are interrelated to each other and act in a concerted, antagonistic, synergistic, or modulating way. Most important conclusions are summarized at the end of every reviewed subgroup. Genetic biomarkers or influences of various food components on concentration levels are not included in this review article.

Indices of Central and Peripheral Obesity; Anthropometric Measurements and Laboratory Parameters of Metabolic Syndrome and Thyroid Function

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity are serious health problems in the World, including Turkey. Contemporary studies have suggested a meaningful association between insulin resistance (IR), MetS parameters, and thyroid function tests.

AIMS

We aimed to elucidate the impact of fat distribution on the anthropometric and laboratory parameters, especially indices of MetS, IR and thyroid function, in obese women.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Anthropometric measurements of all participants and biochemical tests in their serum samples were performed.

RESULTS

Weight, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and other parameters of fat distribution were significantly increased in all obese compared to control subjects; but there was no significant difference between central and peripheral obese groups. The central obese group had significantly higher insulin levels, components of MetS, the ratio free triiodothyronine (fT3) to free thyroxin fT4, and fT4 than those of peripheral obese and control groups.

CONCLUSION

Elevated triglyceride, glucose and insulin levels may be associated with increased IR, which in turn is related to MetS. Body fat composition may affect thyroid tests in the obese; the changes in fT3/fT4 could be the consequence of fat distribution.

Relationship between the body iodine status and menopausal symptoms during postmenopausal period

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of body iodine status on hot flashes and cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

Two hundred and ten consecutive postmenopausal women without known any risk factor for cardiovascular disease risk or systemic disorder were recruited for the study. All participants underwent serum screening consisted of lipid profile including lipoprotein-a (Lp(a)) and urinary iodine excretion. Participants were also asked for the frequency and the duration of hot flashes. All parameters were assessed for the association between urine iodine excretion and other parameters.

RESULTS

Urine spot iodine level was significantly correlated with Lp(a) (r = -0.287, p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (r = -0.187, p = 0.006), cholesterol level (r = -0.573, p < 0.001), TG level (r = -0.211, p = 0.02), frequency of hot flashes per a day (r = -0.467, p < 0.001), durations of hot flashes (r = -0.424, p < 0.001), fasting glucose level (r = 0.331, p < 0.001), and fT3 level (r = 0.475, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, Lp(a) levels were significantly associated with the urine iodine level (beta coefficient = -0.342, p < 0.001) after adjustment for LDL-C (beta coefficient = 0.225, p < 0.001), glucose (beta coefficient = 0.303, p < 0.001), and age (beta coefficient = 0.146, p < 0.017).

CONCLUSION

Body iodine status during postmenopausal period is associated with the menopausal symptoms and lipid profile including Lp(a).

Obesity with and without metabolic syndrome: do vitamin D and thyroid autoimmunity have a role?

AIMS

To investigate serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO), and 25(OH)D in the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome in an obese population.

METHODS

Data from a prospectively generated "Obesity Polyclinic" database that includes socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric, and laboratory measurements of obese subjects were retrospectively analyzed. Subjects with body-mass index (BMI) ≥30kg/m(2) were eligible. After detailed analysis and exclusion of unavailable cases, subjects diagnosed with and without metabolic syndrome were compared for TSH, anti-TPO, and 25(OH)D.

RESULTS

Of the study participants (n=548; men/women, 64/484), 277 were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome [Met-S (+)]. Met-S (+) patients had a higher mean BMI (36.4 vs. 32.3kg/m(2), p<.001) and percentage body fat (PBF) (39.2 vs. 35.3%, p<.001), but similar TSH (2.1 vs. 2.2mIU/mL, p=.759), anti-TPO (12 vs. 13IU/mL, p=.483), 25(OH)D (13.2 vs. 12.6ng/mL, p=.409), and calcium-phosphorus product (28.7 vs. 29.5mg/dL, p=0.275), compared to Met-S (-) subjects. When serum TSH, anti-TPO, and 25(OH)D levels were analyzed according to tertiles for comparisons of fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, BMI, and PBF, only 25(OH)D levels were negatively correlated with BMI and PBF.

CONCLUSIONS

Although decreased 25(OH)D levels were related to the degree of obesity in obese subjects, serum 25(OH)D levels per se did not seem to be associated with metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism were high in this obese sample; however, neither serum TSH nor anti-TPO levels correlated with metabolic syndrome. Our findings did not support the hypothesis that thyroid autoimmunity and/or vitamin D status have a role in the development of metabolic disturbances in the obese population.

Increased waist circumference is independently associated with hypothyroidism in Mexican Americans: replicative evidence from two large, population-based studies

BACKGROUND

Mexican Americans are at an increased risk of both thyroid dysfunction and metabolic syndrome (MS). Thus it is conceivable that some components of the MS may be associated with the risk of thyroid dysfunction in these individuals. Our objective was to investigate and replicate the potential association of MS traits with thyroid dysfunction in Mexican Americans.

METHODS

We conducted association testing for 18 MS traits in two large studies on Mexican Americans - the San Antonio Family Heart Study (SAFHS) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-10. A total of 907 participants from 42 families in SAFHS and 1633 unrelated participants from NHANES 2007-10 were included in this study. The outcome measures were prevalence of clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid function index (TFI) - a measure of thyroid function. For the SAFHS, we used polygenic regression analyses with multiple covariates to test associations in setting of family studies. For the NHANES 2007-10, we corrected for the survey design variables as needed for association analyses in survey data. In both datasets, we corrected for age, sex and their linear and quadratic interactions.

RESULTS

TFI was an accurate indicator of clinical thyroid status (area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve to detect clinical hypothyroidism, 0.98) in both SAFHS and NHANES 2007-10. Of the 18 MS traits, waist circumference (WC) showed the most consistent association with TFI in both studies independently of age, sex and body mass index (BMI). In the SAFHS and NHANES 2007-10 datasets, each standard deviation increase in WC was associated with 0.13 (p < 0.001) and 0.11 (p < 0.001) unit increase in the TFI, respectively. In a series of polygenic and linear regression models, central obesity (defined as WC ≥ 102 cm in men and ≥88 cm in women) was associated with clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism independent of age, sex, BMI and type 2 diabetes in both datasets. Estimated prevalence of hypothyroidism was consistently high in those with central obesity, especially below 45y of age.

CONCLUSIONS

WC independently associates with increased risk of thyroid dysfunction. Use of WC to identify Mexican American subjects at high risk of thyroid dysfunction should be investigated in future studies.

Association between the serum concentration of triiodothyronine with components of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk, and diet in euthyroid post-menopausal women without and with metabolic syndrome

PURPOSE

To determine the association between the serum concentration of triiodothyronine (T3) with components of metabolic syndrome (MetS), cardiovascular risk (CVR), and diet in euthyroid post-menopausal women without and with MetS.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed in 120 voluntary women of an indigenous population from Tlaxcala-México. Euthyroid status was assessed measuring the serum concentration of thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid hormones, while that of estradiol was measured to confirm the postmenopausal condition. MetS was diagnosed using the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Scientific Statement (AHA/NHLBI) criterion. Estimation of CVR was calculated based on the Framingham scale. Diet components were evaluated based on survey applications. Correlations, logistic regression analyses, ANOVA or Kruskall-Wallis, and chi-square tests were used to determine significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between women without MetS and women with MetS having different serum concentrations of T3.

RESULTS

Triiodothyronine was positively correlated with insulin but negatively correlated with glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and CVR. Compared to women without MetS, women with MetS and low-normal T3 concentration showed a high risk for hyperglycemia and moderate/high risk for CVR. In contrast, a high-normal T3 concentration increased the risk to have a big waist circumference, a high concentration of HDL-C, and insulin resistance. Diet analysis showed a high grade of malnutrition in women from all groups. The intake of calories was positively affected by the T3 concentration, albeit it did not affect the extent of malnutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to concentrations of TSH, total thyroxin (T4), and free T4, the concentration of serum T3 was strongly correlated with cardio-metabolic variables in euthyroid postmenopausal women. In comparison to women without MetS, a high-normal serum concentration of T3 in women with MetS is positively associated with reduced glycaemia and CVR but negatively related to body mass index (BMI), insulin, insulin resistance, and HDL-C. Although the analyzed population had a nutritional deficiency, both calories and iron intake were positively affected by the T3 concentration. Our results suggest the necessity of health programs monitoring T3 in old people in order to treat hyperglycemia, cardio-metabolic components, and the ageing anorexia.