title: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome increases through the quartiles of thyroid stimulating hormone in a population-based sample of euthyroid subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its elements in relation to TSH in euthyroid subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the cross-sectional study, 2,153 euthyroid adults, 47.2 ± 14.5 years (20-94) with no current antithyroid or thyroid replacement therapy were enrolled. All participants filled a questionnaire on past and current morbidities, medication and smoking. Body weight, height, waist circumference, serum TSH, glucose and lipids were measured. The subjects were stratified by quartiles of TSH (QTSH) and the prevalence of the MetS elements was calculated. MetS was determined by the IDF 2005 criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overweight prevalence was 37.2% (35.2-39.2), obesity in 25.1% (23.3-26.9), abdominal obesity - 61.4% (59.3-63.5), hypertension - 42.1% (38.9-43.1), diabetes/increased fasting glucose - 13.6% (12.1-15), low HDL-cholesterol - 27.6% (25.7-29.5), hypertriglyceridemia - 24.1% (22.3-25.9), MetS - 32.2% (30.2-34.2). MetS was more prevalent in the highest QTSH (34.9%, 30.9-38.9) than the lowest (27%, 23.3-30.9), p < 0.001, as were low HDL-C (32%, 28-35.9 vs. 25%, 21.3-28.7, p < 0.001) and hypertriglyceridemia (26.8%, 23-30.5 vs. 20.4%, 17-23.8, p = 0.015). Each QTSH increased the risk of MetS by 14%, p < 0.001, of hypertriglyceridemia by 20%, p = 0.001 and of low LDL-C by 9%, p = 0.042. Other significant factors for MetS were age, male gender and obesity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of MetS increased with higher QTSH within the euthyroid range, mostly by an increase in the dyslipidemia.
authors: Medical University of Sofia, University Hospital of Endocrinology, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Shinkov
authors: Medical University of Sofia, University Hospital of Endocrinology, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors: Anna-Maria
authors: AM
authors: Borissova
authors: Medical University of Sofia, University Hospital of Endocrinology, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors: Roussanka
authors: R
authors: Kovatcheva
authors: Medical University of Sofia, University Hospital of Endocrinology, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors: Iliana
authors: I
authors: Atanassova
authors: Medical University of Sofia, University Hospital of Endocrinology, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors: Jordan
authors: J
authors: Vlahov
authors: Medical University of Sofia, University Hospital of Endocrinology, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors: Lilia
authors: L
authors: Dakovska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002031:Bulgaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011897:Random Allocation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D013972:Thyrotropin