OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration and the risks of developing metabolic syndrome and its components.

METHODS

A total of 10,140 residents of the Yunyan district of Guiyang (Guizhou, China) who were ≥40 years old were selected by cluster random sampling between May and August 2011, of whom 5692 were eligible. TSH concentration and indices of metabolic syndrome were documented at baseline and 3 years later. Participants were allocated to a euthyroid (TSH 0.55-4.78 mIU/L) or high TSH concentration (TSH >4.78 mIU/L) group. Patients with overt hypothyroidism or were undergoing treatment for hypothyroidism were excluded.

RESULTS

The crude and adjusted prevalences of metabolic syndrome were 39.9% and 33.9% in the euthyroid group and 44.3% and 37.5% in the high TSH group, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between a high TSH concentration at baseline and the cumulative incidence of metabolic syndrome during follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

High TSH is associated with a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome or one of its components; therefore, people with a high TSH concentration should be screened regularly to permit the early identification of metabolic syndrome and followed up thoroughly.