Insulin Resistance Syndrome Associated with Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Backgroud: Postmenopausal women are known to have a higher prevalence of the insulin resistance (IR) syndrome and subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). A major component of the IR syndrome is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFDL), dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension in postmenopausal women. Objective: The present study aims to assess symptoms of IR syndrome and SH in postmenopausal women. Methods: A total of 54 postmenopausal women have been examined and divided into 2 groups. Group I: 24 postmenopausal women with IR syndrome. Group II: 30 postmenopausal women with IR syndrome and SH. All subjects were clinically examined and evaluated for thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH), free thyroxine, HOMA-IR, fasting glycaemia, lipid metabolism. Thyroid and liver ultrasonography were performed with Doppler mode. Results: Thyroid ultrasound showed total thyroid volume of 12, 30±1,40 cm3 in 57% of patients with IR syndrome and SH and 9,50±1,22 cm3 in the group I. Liver ultrasonography showed hepatosis were present in 95% of postmenopausal women in group II and 90% in the group I. In the group I in 60% of females has dyslipidemia and 98% patients IR (pb0.001). The patients of the group II had 95% IR and all women dyslipidemia (pb0.001). Conclusion: this demonstrates that SH is frequent in patients with IR syndrome and indicates a potential cardiovascular risk due to the association of subclinical hypothyroidism, dislipidemia and suggests that NAFLD in postmenopausal women should be screened for thyroid function