Prevalence and associations of thyroid dysfunction with metabolic markers blood

Introduction

Thyroid dysfunction is a common endocrine disordercharacterized by abnormal production or regulationof thyroid hormones. There are two thyroidhormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)that are essential for controlling metabolism,including glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism.Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is released bythe pituitary gland and regulates thyroid hormonerelease (Zuarth-Vázquez et al., 2023 & Kube et al.,2020). Dyslipidemia, irregular blood glucose levels,and changes in cholesterol profiles can be caused bythyroid hormone imbalances that may increase therisk for diabetes, heart disease, and obesity (Kube etal., 2020). Globally, thyroid dysfunction affectsmillions of people, and its prevalence differs bycountry and region. Among the general population,approximately 4.6% have hypothyroidism and 1.3%have hyperthyroidism, according to one study.However, these prevalence rates can differ based ongeographical location, age, gender, and iodine status(Stagnaro-Green et al., 2020). Other studies reportedthat thyroid dysfunction, particularlyhypothyroidism, has been associated with impairedglucose metabolism (Biondi et al., 2010). Insulinresistance, reduced glucose tolerance, and raisedfasting blood glucose levels have all been linked tosubclinical hypothyroidism, which is characterized byelevated TSH levels with normal T3 and T4 levels.

Moreover, increased levels of triglycerides (TG) andtotal cholesterol can hypothyroidism. (Stuijver, vanZaane et al., 2012). There is an association betweenthyroid illness and diabetes mellitus are bothprevalent endocrine conditions in the generalpopulation 10% of diabetics had thyroidautoimmunity. Higher blood glucose levels may resultfrom increased glucose synthesis and impairedglucose absorption caused by elevated thyroidhormone levels cause hyperthyroidism (Akbar et al.,2006 & Kim et al., 2017). Diabetes patients have amuch greater frequency of thyroid illness than theoverall population. The main is reason is that there isinsulin resistances that can cause high TSH levels,although these not statistically significant (Kocaturket al., 2020).

T3 and T4 levels that are elevated can boost lipolysis(the breakdown of fats) and free fatty acid levels inthe blood. Rising thyroid hormone levels can lowercholesterol levels vice versa (S. Attaullah et al., 2016).The study reported that there is no link betweenthyrotropin levels and the occurrence ofmeteorological conditions (Ding et al., 2021).Dyslipidemia, particularly high levels of triglyceridesand total cholesterol, has been linked tohypothyroidism. Increased triglyceride levels havealso been connected to subclinical hypothyroidism(Kyriacou et al., 2015 & Langer et al., 1997). Bloodglucose and dyslipidemia levels are dramaticallyelevated in females with hypothyroidism whichshown that increase in thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) levels and a considerable fall in thyroxin (T4)levels (Al-Fatlawi et al., 2022). 

Therefore, the primary objective of this crosssectional study is to determine the prevalence ofthyroid dysfunction in District Peshawar KPK andinvestigate its associations with metabolic markers,including blood glucose levels, triglycerides, andcholesterol profiles. We have included patient withage ranges 10-70 year of both genders, excluded whohas systemic illness or chronic diseases likecardiovascular diseases, renal dysfunction, liverdiseases and Pregnant or lactating women, ashormonal changes during pregnancy can affectthyroid function and metabolic markers.