Sensitivity to thyroid hormone and risk of components of metabolic syndrome in a Chinese euthyroid population

Abstract

Introduction: To evaluate the association of sensitivity to thyroid hormone with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in a Chinese euthyroid population. Methods: A total of 3573 participants from Pinggu Metabolic Disease Study were analyzed. Serum-free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH), total adipose tissue (TAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) area of abdominal, and lumbar skeletal muscle area (SMA) were measured. Central thyroid hormone resistance was calculated by the Thyroid Feedback Quantile-based Index (TFQI) and Chinese-referenced Parametric TFQI (PTFQI), Thyrotroph T4 Resistance Index (TT4RI) and TSH Index (TSHI). Peripheral thyroid hormone resistance was assessed by FT3/FT4 ratio. Results: Higher values of TSHI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.167, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.079–1.262, p