OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY AS A RISK FACTOR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: The evaluation of thyroid function in human obesity has resulted in contradictory findings. Most studies have shown that body mass index (BMI) is positively associated with serum thyrotropin (TSH) and the prevalence of hypothyroidism in obese individuals. However, the results on the relationship between BMI and serum free thyroid hormone levels are controversial. The present study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in overweight and obese patients.

Materials and methods: During the period from 01/04/24 to 08/08/24, patients over 18 years of age with normal weight, overweight or obesity, who are not receiving treatment with levothyroxine, who consult the outpatient clinic at the Endocrinology service, were evaluated.

Results: Of the patients who presented subclinical hypothyroidism (16 patients), 37.5% had normal weight (6 patients) and 62.5% were overweight or obese (31.25% overweight (5 patients), 6.25% grade I obesity (1 patient), 12.5% grade II obesity (2 patients) and 12.5% morbid obesity (2 patients). Only 1 patient presented clinical hypothyroidism, and he was morbidly obese.

Conclusion: Overweight and obesity are associated with a higher risk of developing subclinical hypothyroidism, 1.6 times more than in patients with normal weight. Therefore, it seems reasonable to measure TSH and FT4 in overweight and obese patients to detect these alterations and establish timely treatment, although we recognize the small sample size of this study.