Endocrine Abstracts

Background Insulin resistance (IR) is a state in which a given concentration of insulin produces biological effect less than expected and IR actually make up a broad clinical spectrum, including obesity, glucose intolerance, DM, and the metabolic syndrome that are associated with various endocrine, metabolic, & genetic conditions. There is an association of IR with thyroid abnormalities. Evidence for a relationship between T4 and T3 and glucose metabolism appeared over 100 years ago when the influence of hyperthyroidism in the deterioration of glucose metabolism was first noticed. More, hypothyroidism has been linked to decreased IR. Thyroid hormones exert both insulin agonistic and antagonistic actions in different organs. However, this occurs in a fine balance necessary for normal glucose metabolism. Deficit or excess of thyroid hormones can break this equilibrium leading to alterations of carbohydrate metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine the association between thyroid function and IR. Methodology this study included 90 non diabetic patients recruited from Fayoum university hospital 30 patients had hypothyroidism, 30 had hyperthyroidism & 30 were euthyroid. HOMA IR were calculated. Our results revealed, 50% of hypothyroid patients, 36% of hyperthyroid patients & only 16.5% of the euthyroid patients had IR (P=0.024). The mean body weight of the hyperthyroid group was (73.3±8.7) was significantly lower than that of the euthyroid group (84.8±9.2) and the hypothyroid group (86.7±11.3) (P<0.001). The mean BMI of the Hypothyroid patients was higher (32.1±4.4) than the euthyroid group (30.1±3.9) & the hyperthyroid group (26.0±3.3) (P<0.0001). Hypothyroid patients were found to have a mean waist circumference that is greater (93.2±8.9) than the euthyroid (88.00±8.3) or hyperthyroid (81.7±5.1) group (P<0.0001). Conclusion insulin resistance is common in patients with abnormal thyroid function compared to the euthyoid subjects.