Impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormones (TH) was associated with metabolic syndrome. The study aimed to explore the association between central TH sensitivity indices and insulin resistance (IR) in euthyroid adults with obesity.
This cross-sectional study enrolled 293 euthyroid outpatients with obesity in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital. We used the thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), thyroid stimulating hormone index (TSHI), and thyrotrophic T4 resistance index (TT4RI) to indicate central TH sensitivity. IR was assessed by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), hepatic insulin resistance index (hepatic-IR), the Matsuda index, and the adipose tissue insulin resistance index (Adipo-IR). Participants were categorized according to tertiles of TH sensitivity indices. We used multiple linear regressions to explore the associations.
There was a significant stepwise increase in HOMA-IR and Adipo-IR from the lowest to the highest tertiles of TH sensitivity indices (all
Reduced central TH sensitivity was associated with increased adipose tissue insulin resistance in euthyroid adults with obesity. The results further confirmed the importance of TH sensitivity on metabolic diseases.