Abstract

CALVO RICO, Raúl et al. Sub-clinical hypothyroidism in obese and overweight patients. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2010, vol.3, n.3, pp.158-162. ISSN 2386-8201.

Objective. The possible influence of obesity on thyroid function and its relationship with subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of SH in people with a BMI ≥25 kg/m². Materials and methods. Descriptive, observational study, conducted in individuals over 18 years, in the Toledo health area. The sample was obtained through consecutive sampling in the doctor´s consultancy. Thyroid tests were conducted on each person (TSH, free T4) and their BMI was calculated. Their age, sex, smoking habit, history of thyroid disease, environment, and nationality were recorded. Diagnosis of SH was considered as a TSH level of >4μU/ml and a free T4 level of >0.8ng/dl, according to the laboratory reference range. Results. The sample comprised 332 persons; 53.9% female; mean age, 59.5 years. Twelve point nine percent were smokers and 7.3% had a history of thyroid disease; 52.4% were obese and 47.6% overweight. The prevalence of SH was 9.3% (95% CI 6.5-13.1). We found no significant relationship between SH and age, smoking, or environment. We found no correlation between BMI and TSH (rho =-0.033; p=0.546). The frequency of SH in women (13.4%) was higher than in men (4.6%) [p =0.006]. Conclusions. SH prevalence in an overweight population does not differ from those found in other studies in the general population. We did not find a correlation between BMI and serum TSH levels. SH is more common in women, but we did not find any relationship with age or smoking habit.

Keywords : Obesity; Overweight; Body mass index; Subclinical hypothyroidism.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )