Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, Degree of Obesity, and Metabolic Risk Markers in a Cohort of Swedish Children with Obesity

Abstract

Background/Aims: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is affected in obesity and might influence metabolic risk. It is unclear what mechanisms cause elevated TSH in obesity. We aimed to investigate TSH status within the normal range and the association of TSH with degree of obesity and metabolic parameters in children with obesity. Methods: A total of 3,459 children, aged 3.0–17.9 years, were identified in the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Registry, BORIS. Age, gender, TSH, free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), body mass index standard deviation scores (BMI SDS), as well as variables of lipid and glucose metabolism were examined. Results: Children with high-normal TSH (>3.0 mU/L) (28.8%) had higher BMI SDS compared to children with low-normal TSH (<3.0 mU/L) (p < 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis adjusted for age and gender showed that TSH levels were associated with BMI SDS (β: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.14–0.28, p < 0.001). Associations of thyroid hormones with markers of lipid and glucose metabolism were observed, where TSH was associated with fasting insulin, HOMA (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance), total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Conclusions: A positive association between TSH levels and BMI SDS was seen in children with obesity. Associations of TSH and free thyroid hormones with glucose metabolism indicated that TSH might be one of several factors acting to determine body weight and obesity co-morbidities, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear.