Metabolic syndrome in Overt and Subclinical Hypothyroidism Syrian Patients

Thyroid hormones play an important role in several metabolic pathways including glucose and lipid metabolism and may cause metabolic syndrome. Both hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome are common in Syrian population. This study was done to evaluate the metabolic syndrome in two types of hypothyroidism and the effect of TSH levels on its occurrence. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed of 91 patients with overt hypothyroidism, 31 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism without clinical symptoms and 53 controls without thyroid disorders. Metabolic syndrome was defined as per International Diabetes Federation(IDF) criteria which are defined as central obesity based on race- and gender-specific WC cutoffs (Waist circumference (WC)≥94cm for male , WC≥80 cm for female) plus any two of the following four parameters: (Raised triglycerides: ≥150 mg/dl (1.7 mmol/l) or history of specific treatment for this lipid abnormality, Reduced HDL cholesterol: 40 mg/dl (1.03 mmol/l) in males and 50 mg/dl (1.29 mmol/l) in females or history of specific treatment for this lipid abnormality, Raised blood pressure: systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥85 mm Hg or on treatment for previously diagnosed hypertension and Raised FPG: ≥ 100 mg/dl or previously diagnosed type 2 Diabetes mellitus. In conclusion, our study showed significant association between overt hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome. It also revealed that TSH level over 2.5 uIU‎/ml significantly increases the risk of the metabolic syndrome.