(27-01-11) During rapid weight loss in obese children, reductions in TSH predict improvements in insulin sensitivity independent of changes in

During rapid weight loss in obese children, reductions in TSH predict
improvements in insulin sensitivity independent of changes in body weight or fat.

Aeberli I, Jung A, Murer SB, Wildhaber J, Wildhaber-Brooks J, Kn?pfli BH,
Zimmermann MB.

ETH Z?rich, Human Nutrition Laboratory, Institute of Food Science and
Nutrition, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, LFV D22, CH-8092 Z?rich, Switzerland. isabelle.
[email protected]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although serum TSH is often elevated in obesity and may be linked
to disorders of lipid and glucose metabolism, the clinical relevance of these
relationships remains unclear.

SUBJECTS: Subjects were obese children and adolescents (n=206; mean age 14 yr)
undergoing rapid weight and fat loss in a standardized, multidisciplinary, 2-
month, in-patient weight loss program.

DESIGN: This was a prospective study that determined thyroid function, glucose
and lipid parameters, leptin, anthropometric measures, and body composition
measured by dual-energy x-ray absorption at baseline and at the end of the
intervention.

RESULTS: At baseline, 52% of children had TSH concentrations in the high
normal range (>2.5 mU/liter), but TSH was not correlated with body weight, body
mass index sd scores, lean body mass, or body fat percentage. At baseline,
independent of adiposity, TSH significantly correlated with total cholesterol
(P=0.008), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.013), fasting insulin (P=0.
010), homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) (P=0.004), and leptin (P=0.006).
During the intervention, mean body fat, TSH, HOMA, and fasting insulin
decreased by 21, 11, 53, and 54%, respectively. Change (Δ) in TSH did not
correlate with Δbody weight or Δbody composition, but ΔTSH significantly
correlated with, Δfasting insulin and ΔHOMA, independent of Δbody weight or
Δbody composition (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: TSH concentrations are elevated in obese children but are not
correlated with the amount of excess body weight or fat. During weight loss,
independent of changes in body weight or composition, decreases in elevated
serum TSH predict decreases in fasting insulin and HOMA. These findings suggest
interventions that target high TSH concentrations during weight loss in obese
subjects may improve insulin sensitivity.

Source: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Dec;95(12):5412-8. Epub 2010 Sep 15.

News

---

In evidenza

"L'informazione presente nel sito serve a migliorare, e non a sostituire, il rapporto medico-paziente."

Per coloro che hanno problemi di salute si consiglia di consultare sempre il proprio medico curante.