The association between thyroid function and incidence of metabolic syndrome in euthyroid subjects: Tianjin chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and health cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

Thyroid hormones (THs) are primarily responsible for the regulation of energy homeostasis and metabolism. However, few prospective studies have assessed the association between THs and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a general population. We therefore designed a cohort study to examine whether serum TH levels within the reference range are predictive factors for developing MetS in adults.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

A prospective study (n = 6119) was performed in Tianjin, China. Participants without a history of MetS were followed up for 1 to 3 years with a median follow-up duration of 2 years.

MEASUREMENTS

Serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. MetS was defined in accordance with the criteria of the American Heart Association scientific statements of 2009. THs, TSH levels and MetS were assessed yearly during the follow-up. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the associations between FT3, FT4 and TSH quintiles and MetS.

RESULTS

The incidence of MetS was 17.7% (96 per 1000 person-years). In the final multivariate models, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for MetS across serum FT3 quintiles were 1.00 (reference), 1.03 (0.84, 1.25), 1.14 (0.94, 1.38), 1.09 (0.90, 1.32) and 1.33 (1.11, 1.61), respectively (P for trend <.01). However, no significant associations between FT4, TSH and MetS were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This population-based prospective cohort study suggests that increased serum FT3 level, rather than FT4 and TSH, is an independent predictor for developing MetS in euthyroid subjects.