Isolated Hyperthyrotropinemia Adversely Influences Lipid Metabolism in Children and Adolescents with Obesity

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to look at the relationship between hyperthyrotropinemia and anthropometric measurements as well as cardiometabolic risk factors in obese children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients with isolated hyperthyrotropinemia and 124 patients with normal thyroid functions, between 10 and 18 years of age, were included in the study. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements and biochemical parameters were recorded. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios were calculated. RESULTS: The subjects’ mean age was 12.6 ± 1.9 years and their mean body mass index was 29.8 ± 4 kg/m(2). The isolated hyperthyrotropinemia group had considerably greater levels of triglyceride, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. Higher prevalences of hypertriglyceridemia and increased triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were found in the group with isolated hyperthyrotropinemia. Thyroid-stimulating hormone had a statistically significant positive relationship with triglyceride, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, as well as an inverse relationship with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Thyroid-stimulating hormone was positively correlated with triglyceride and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in both females and males; however, only in females, thyroid-stimulating hormone was positively correlated with non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. The triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, as well as the rates of hypertriglyceridemia were higher in children with isolated hyperthyrotropinemia in the female subgroup. Male children with isolated hyperthyrotropinemia had significantly higher triglyceride levels in comparison with males with normal thyroid-stimulating hormone. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that isolated hyperthyrotropinemia is associated with the deterioration of lipid metabolism, especially in females. Since dyslipidemia is accepted as a cardiovascular disease risk factor, isolated hyperthyrotropinemia might negatively influence cardiovascular functions in obese children and adolescents.