Association of insulin resistance and lipid profile with serum T3, T4, and TSH in patients with hypothyroidism

ABSTRACT

Background: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine derangement met with in clinical practice. Deficiency of thyroid hormones can have a significant effect on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to study the association of insulin resistance and lipid profile with serum triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital after obtaining clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Thirty primary hypothyroid subjects were selected as cases based on their TSH values (>4 uIU/mL) and thirty normal subjects as controls after proper exclusion and after getting the informed consent. Their fasting plasma glucose levels, lipid profile, and serum T3, T4, TSH were measured. Homeostasis model Assessment using OXFORD HOMA 2 CALCULATOR was used to determine the insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results: The mean values of HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides were significantly higher in hypothyroid group than in normal controls. HOMA-IR showed a significant negative correlation with T3 and T4. The correlations of HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides with TSH were positive. Conclusion: The present study shows that hypothyroidism leads to an elevated insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.