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Thyrotropin, insulin sensitivity negatively associated in euthyroid adolescent boys with obesity
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An association was found between thyrotropin and insulin sensitivity in euthyroid adolescent males with obesity and without diabetes, according to study findings published in Thyroid.
“This study suggests that [thyrotropin] levels in euthyroid, nondiabetic, obese adolescent males are negatively associated with insulin sensitivity, determined using the oral minimal model approach,” the researchers wrote. “The sex-specific differential negative association of [thyrotropin] with insulin sensitivity, even after controlling for BMI, is a somewhat surprising but novel finding.”
Seema Kumar, MD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues evaluated 36 euthyroid adolescents (aged 12 to 18 years) with obesity but without diabetes to determine the relationship between thyrotropin and insulin sensitivity, lipids and adipokines. Overall, the mean BMI was 32.5 kg/m2, the mean thyrotropin level was 2.7 mIU/L, and 47% of participants were boys.
Seema Kumar
Overall, BMI and thyrotropin were not associated (P = .11); however, there was a significant association between the two among girls (P = .03) but not boys (P = .96). Following adjustment for age, the association between BMI and thyrotropin did not remain for girls (P = .17).
A negative association was found between thyrotropin and insulin sensitivity among the whole cohort (P = .03); this remained significant following adjustment for BMI (P = .024) and age (P = .03). Decreasing insulin sensitivity was associated with increasing thyrotropin among boys (P = .02) but not girls.
When assessing by disposition index, no association was found between thyrotropin levels and pancreatic beta-cell function (P = .048). Positive associations were found between thyrotopin and LDL-cholesterol (P = .04) and interleukin-6 (P = .03); however, the associations diminished or disappeared following adjustment for BMI (LDL-cholesterol, P = .44; interleukin-6, P = .07).
“Increasing concentrations of thyrotropin, even within the normal range, in non-diabetic obese adolescent males appear to be associated with deterioration of insulin sensitivity,” Kumar told Endocrine Today. “The clinical implications of these findings on the ‘optimal’ thyrotropin levels in adolescents at increased risk for diabetes need further study.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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