TITLE:
Primary Hypothyroidism: Presence of Central Adiposity and Its Improvement on Attaining Euthyroid State with L-Thyroxine
AUTHORS:
Reshma A. Esmail, Rachael E. Hinrichs, Udaya M. Kabadi
KEYWORDS:
Primary Hypothyroidism; Central Obesity; Body Weight
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases,
Vol.3 No.5,
August
30,
2013
ABSTRACT: Objective: Primary hypothyroidism is frequently manifested by weight gain.
Moreover, treatment with L-Thyroxine reverses the weight gain in most subjects
on achieving euthyroid state. However, the characteristic fat distribution contributing
to these changes in body weight is not well documented. Therefore, the presence
of central adiposity was examined in primary hypothyroidism prior to and after
attaining and maintaining euthyroid state following L-Thyroxine therapy. Methods: Waist and hip measurements
were conducted to determine waist: hip ratios in 55 men, ages 39 to 84 years at
diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism established by subnormal Free T4 and
supernormal TSH concentrations and again after their normalization by
L-Thyroxine replacement therapy. The subjects were divided according
to Body Mass Index (BMI-Kg/m2) into 3 groups; hypo T1, 20 men with
BMI 30. 15 euthyroid normal
(N) men matched for age and BMI in each group participated as controls. Results: Mean waist: hip ratio was
significantly higher (p Conclusion: Central
adiposity is a definitive clinical manifestation of primary hypothyroidism in
men. Moreover, a significant improvement on achieving euthyroid state following
L-Thyroxine therapy may deem central adiposity to be a major contributor to
changes in body weight in primary hypothyroidism noted at diagnosis and on
attaining and maintaining euthyroid state.