Abstract:

Introduction: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH); is a condition that serum free T4 (sT4) levels are normal and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are above the reference levels by age. It is reported that the increase in body mass index (BMI) in overweight and obese children and adolescents leads to an increase in serum TSH levels and the frequency of SH in these children. It is also suggested frequency of SH and the relationship between SH with lipid metabolism abnormalities and NAFLD were investigated in overweight and obese children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: Clinical, laboratory and imaging results of 291 overweight and obese children and adolescent patients (169 girls, 122 boys) were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with normal serum sT4 levels and TSH levels between 4,5-10 mIU / ml (SH group) (n=53) and patients with normal serum T4 and TSH levels (control group) (n=238), were compared in terms of liver function tests, lipid parameters and presence of NAFLD. Results: The frequency of SH was 18,2% (n=53), and the frequency of NAFLD was in 47,7% (n=139) in all study group. Serum total cholesterol levels were higher in the SH group (p<0,05) and the frequency of NAFLD (n=23, 43,3%) was not different from patients without SH (n=122, 48,7%) (p>0,05). Serum TSH levels correlated positively with triglyceride (r=0,1, p<0,05) and alanine aminotransferase levels (r=0,135, p<0,05). The frequency (n=34) of patients with TG / HDL-K ratio>2 was higher than those without SH (p<0,05). Conclusions: The frequency of SH is high in obese children and adolescent patients. Atherogenic lipid metabolism disorders are more common in patients with SH. The presence of SH in obese children and adolescents does not affect the frequency of NAFLD.

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