Hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism are associated with fatty pancreas (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Pancreas Disease)

Abstract

Objectives: Increasing visceral fat deposition with raised prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome is associated with many adverse conditions, especially cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Although there are many studies that investigate hepatic steatosis in hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism, to the best of our knowledge, there is no study investigating its relationship with pancreatic steatosis. In the present study, the purpose was to investigate this relationship. Methods: Physical and biochemical characteristics of 30 hypothyroid, 30 subclinical hypothyroid, and 30 euthyroid volunteers were recorded in this cross-sectional study. Liver and pancreatic steatosis were evaluated with ultrasonography. Results: It was found that pancreatic steatosis was increased in hypothyroid and subclinical groups when compared to the control group, and hepatic steatosis was increased in the subclinical group when compared to the control group (steatosis; p = 0.002, p = 0.004, p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.002, p = 0.004). Pancreatic steatosis was positively correlated with age, hepatic steatosis, height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, hemoglobin, Insulin, alanine aminotransferase, Triglyceride, Creatinine, and gamma-glutamyltransferase and was negatively correlated with total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins. Conclusions: The prevalence of pancreatic steatosis was found to be increased in hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism when compared with the euthyroid control group.