Assessment of thyroid function in euthyroid obese medical students.

Background: It is well known that Thyroid Hormones play a key role in regulating energy homeostasis. The association between thyroid hormones and energy expenditure is well established. There is inverse relationship between obesity and energy expenditure. There is a limited data on thyroid function in euthyroid obese young individuals. Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between thyroid function and obesity in euthyroid young individuals. Materials & Methods: Obesity was defined as per Body Mass Index. (BMI)Undergraduate medical students were grouped as normal, overweight and obese as per their Body Mass Index Thyroid function was assessed by measuring fT3, fT4 and TSH levels by using automated chemiluminescence immunoassay system. Results: We found that the levels of TSH showed significant increase in overweight and obese subjects (p< 0.001) however there was no statistical difference in the levels of fT3and fT4 in overweight and obese students as compared to normal(p> 0.05). Interpretation & Conclusion: Our results suggest that thyroid function though within the normal range could be one of several factors acting in concert to determine body weight in a population. Even slightly elevated serum TSH levels are associated with an increase in BMI.