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Evaluation of the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome components among workers

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

Abstract

Objectives

Both hyperthyroidism and overt hypothyroidism are associated with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components, while data on subclinical hypothyroidism is currently limited especially in working populations. The aim of this study was to examine the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome components in workers; and to evaluate whether there are differences by sex and occupation.

Material and Methods

A total of 1150 university employees (male — 792, female — 358) aged 30–60 years who came for an annual medical check-up were studied. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid profiles, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels were measured.

Results

After adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI), TSH was positively associated with increased triglyceride (TG) levels (β = 0.108, p = 0.020) and FPG (β = 0.130, p = 0.006) in subclinical hypothyroid male workers. However, TSH was not associated (p > 0.05) with any component of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the euthyroid group. In females, TSH was not correlated with MS components in both euthyroid and subclinical hypothyroid groups. Furthermore, comparison by occupation showed higher TSH in subclinical hypothyroid male workers employed in administration (5.23±0.52 mU/l) than those working as academics (5.12±0.52 mU/l), which resulted in elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, FPG, total cholesterol, TG and high density lipoprotein cholesterol. In females, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, TG and FPG were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in subclinical hypothyroid administrators than those in academics.

Conclusions

Subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with metabolic syndrome components in male workers and not in females. Administration workers showed increased metabolic risks compared to academics. The findings suggest that the assessment of thyroid function in individuals with metabolic syndrome in the workplace may be favorable especially among men.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China

    Maureen Jepkorir Cheserek, Yonghui Shi & Guowei Le

  2. Molecular and Applied Nutrition Laboratory, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China

    Maureen Jepkorir Cheserek, Guirong Wu, Yonghui Shi & Guowei Le

  3. Jiangnan University Hospital, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China

    Liye Shen

  4. Department of Human Nutrition, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya

    Maureen Jepkorir Cheserek

  5. State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu Province, China

    Guowei Le

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  1. Maureen Jepkorir Cheserek
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  2. Guirong Wu
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  3. Liye Shen
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  4. Yonghui Shi
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Correspondence to Guowei Le.

Additional information

Source of financial support: The project 212BAD33B05/metabolic syndrome and biomarkers. The National Science and Technology Ministry of China. Project manager: Guowei Le, Prof.

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Cheserek, M.J., Wu, G., Shen, L. et al. Evaluation of the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome components among workers. IJOMEH 27, 175–187 (2014). https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0240-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0240-5

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