ASSOCIATION OF THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE AND THYROID HORMONES WITH LIPID PROFILE IN GHANAIAN EUTHYROID PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Author(s): Nii Ayite Aryee and Emmanuel Ayitey Tagoe

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests that thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) may exert extra-thyroidal effects and modulate the profile of blood lipids. The aim of this study was to determine the association between TSH levels, thyroid hormones, thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and lipid profile in euthyroid type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic subjects with elevated cholesterol levels. Serum levels of TSH, FT4 and FT3 in diabetic and non-diabetic euthyroid subjects with normal and elevated cholesterol levels were assayed. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c) cholesterol were also analyzed. Serum TSH levels were found to be lower in individuals with elevated cholesterol. Serum TSH levels correlated positively with TC, LDL-c and HDL-c but showed a negative relationship with TG and FPG in diabetics with elevated cholesterol. FT3 showed negative correlation with lipid parameters and FPG except HDL-c. However, serum FT4 levels were not significantly different between study groups. We infer that TSH may be one of many biochemical modulators of circulatory lipids. Our results suggest that reduction in TSH levels may play a role in the elevation of lipids irrespective of diabetic status. An assessment of TSH status may have wide-ranging clinical significance in the management of hypercholesterolemia in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.

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