Background: Hyperthyroidism, resulting from increased thyroid activity, can affect almost all systems in our body. It can influence the lipid profile as well as numerous other cardiovascular risk factors in an individual.
Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted with the aim of finding out the association between insulin resistance (IR) and serum lipid profiles and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in hyperthyroid patients.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among newly diagnosed, untreated hyperthyroid patients and euthyroid bystanders. Serum TSH, serum total cholesterol, serum low density lipoprotein (LDL), serum triglycerides, serum very LDL, serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL), plasma glucose, and serum insulin were assessed. A chi-square test, student’s t-test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were done, and a P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: In this study, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and serum IR were found to be significantly different among the hyperthyroid and euthyroid groups. Mean serum HDL was found to be significantly lower in hyperthyroid patients (38.64 ± 4.69 mg/dL) compared to euthyroid patients (44.44 ± 6.68 mg/dL). A negative correlation between hyperthyroid status and IR was also found (−0.311 [P = 0.040]).
Conclusion: Hyperthyroidism is associated with IR, which can predispose to the emergence of diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, the hyperthyroid state can influence serum HDL levels, which are one of the major components of the lipid profile. Hence, individuals with thyroid dysfunction need to be screened for diabetes as well as dyslipidemia.
Key words: Fasting Blood Sugar; High-density Lipoprotein; Hyperthyroidism; Insulin Resistance; Lipid Profile; Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
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