Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in women with subclinical hypothyroidism

Background: Hypothyroidism is found to be more prevalent in women than men. There is an increasing evidence that subclinical hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance is the main pathophysiological basis for metabolic syndrome. Limited and conflicting data are available regarding the status of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in female patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Aim and Objectives: The current study was conducted to evaluate metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in women with subclinical hypothyroidism. Material and Methods: Fifty newly diagnosed subclinical hypothyroid women between the age group 18-45 years and fifty age-matched healthy women volunteers as controls were selected and enrolled for the study. Results: The mean values of diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein-C (LDL-C), Triglycerides (TG), fasting glucose, insulin, and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Estimated Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) were significantly increased, whereas waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and High Density Lipoprotein-C (HDL-C) were not significantly changed in women with subclinical hypothyroidism as compared to control group. Conclusion: Women with subclinical hypothyroidism are having a significantly higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance which may result in a compounded risk of cardiovascular disease in these patients.