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Selected Publication:
Rehberger, B.
Thyroidal Dysfunction, Lifestyle Behaviour and Obesity
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Medical University of Graz; 2014. pp. 61
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- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Bernecker Claudia
- Gruber Hans-Jürgen
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- Abstract:
- Introduction: The thyroid gland is an essential endocrine organ in the human body. Whilst growing up, thyroid hormones are required for a normal development of mental skills as well as for reaching full body function. Also for grown up people the correct amount of thyroid hormones is needed. Receptors for thyroid hormones are existing on nearly every cell in the body. Lifestyle – related diseases, like hypertension, metabolic syndrome and many more may be related to thyroid – hormone – levels. Metabolic syndrome is a growing problem in the western world, causing a lot of illnesses for the patients and a lot of costs for the health system. Literature shows puzzling results. So it is the aim of our study, to find correlations between thyroidal parameters and parameters of lifestyle – related diseases and metabolic syndrome. Methods: Patients have been recruited when visiting the Department of Endocrinology of the Medical University Graz. The study cohort consists of 184. Patients have been sub grouped depending on their thyroid function into hyper-, hypo- and euthyroid. Euthyroid patients are patients with thyroid dysfunction, who already get treatment. For every patient, a proband was matched in age and sex. The study cohort consists of 68% females and 32% males. In detail, the study cohort consists of 34% healthy females, 5% hyperthyroid females, 12% hypothyroid females, 17% euthyroid females, 16% healthy males, 1% hyperthyroid males, 3% hypothyroid males and 12% euthyroid males. Laboratory analyses of the parameters from this prospective clinical trial have been analysed by the Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University Graz. Clinical parameters have been analysed using SPSS. Results: In our study we found significant differences in baseline characteristics in body weight, waist – to – hip ratio and systolic blood pressure between euthyroids and controls. We also found differences in age, body length, waist circumference and waist – to – hip ratio between euthyroids and hypothyroids. Regarding diastolic BP, we found differences between euthyroids and controls, euthyroids and hyperthyroids, hypothyroids and controls as well as between hypothyroids and hyperthyroids. We also found differences in basal TSH levels, fT4, TPO AB and TRAK regarding healthy controls, hyperthyroids, hypothyroids and euthyroids. In parameters of the glucose metabolism, regarding glucose, insulin, c – peptide and HOMA – index, we found no significant differences between the four groups. We also performed regression analyses, where we found a strong correlation between parameters of the glucose metabolism and parameters of the thyroid function in healthy controls, hyperthyroids and euthyroids. Regarding thyroid parameters and antopometric parameters, we found significant correlation in healthy controls, hypothyroids as well as euthyroids. Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction seems to have a strong impact on body weight, waist – to – hip ratio and blood pressure. Therefore it is very important to recognise thyroid dysfunction in patients for a better treatment. Our findings are in line with many different studies. So this also supports the idea that thyroid dysfunction patients need to get adeaquat therapy in order to reduce a patient´s risk for metabolic disorders.