Association between lipids profile and thyroid parameters in euthyroid diabetic subjects: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The concept is now emerging that higher thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and lower thyroid hormone levels within the euthyroid range may adversely affect atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between thyroid parameters and lipids profile in a cohort of euthyroid diabetic subjects. Methods: Four hundred and sixty-two euthyroid type 2 diabetes subjects (302 males and 160 females) were consecutively recruited. Clinical and anthropometric data was collected from all participants. Whole blood samples were drawn in the morning after an overnight fasting for the measurement of serum TSH, free thyroxine (FT4), free triiothyronine (FT3), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) levels, as well as lipid concentrations and glucose. Results: TSH was higher in females than males. Stratified by TSH, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) level increased in subjects with TSH=.5uIU/mL (P=0.004). And TSH was associated with HDL-c in a Pearson correlation test, however, the association failed to attain significance in partial correlation analyses, adjusted for age, sex, duration of diabetes, fasting glucose and BMI. In females, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) level was significant lower in subjects with TSH