THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERUM THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE AND VISCERAL FAT PROPORTION AND BODY MASS INDEX IN WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE

Abstract

The prevalence of overweight and obesity represents a global public health issue, often acting as an associated risk factor that can impact the function of various organs, including the thyroid gland. Considering the continuous rise in thyroid disease prevalence, it is particularly concerning that endocrine thyroid disorders are most common among women of reproductive age, between 20 and 45 years. Previous studies indicate a positive relationship between serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and body mass index (BMI), implying that changes in body weight could be associated with thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating energy expenditure through cellular respiration and thermogenesis and in determining basal metabolic rate. TSH, apart from regulating thyroid function, can influence thermogenesis, appetite, lipolysis, and lipogenesis, thereby indirectly affecting lipid metabolism and fat storage. The objectives of this study are to analyze the values of TSH, body weight, body height, body mass index (BMI), and visceral fat percentage in relation to the age of participants of reproductive age, as well as to examine the correlation between serum TSH levels, BMI, and visceral fat percentage in women of reproductive age. The research is an experimental, cross-sectional, observational, descriptive-analytical study that included a total of 88 female participants of reproductive age. The study was conducted in public and private laboratories in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Analysis revealed that 34.09% of participants were aged 18 to 30 years. Women aged 31 to 40 years accounted for 38.6%, and those aged 41 to 45 years comprised 27.27% of the participants. A physiologically normal amount of visceral fat was observed in 51.14% of the participants, while an increased amount of visceral fat was present in 48.86%. Based on visceral fat classification, 20% of participants under 30 years had an increased visceral fat level. Among those aged 30 to 40 years, the average proportion was 61.8%, while in the 41 to 45 age group, the average proportion of visceral fat was 66.7% (p=0.0005). Regarding BMI, the proportion of obese participants under 30 years was 3.3%; for those aged 31 to 40 years, it was 17.6%, and for participants aged 41 to 45 years, it was 16.7% (p=0.046). Analysis showed that 89.7% of participants aged 18 to 30 years had normal TSH values, 79.4% of those aged 31 to 40 years had TSH within reference values, and 87.5% of participants aged 41 to 45 years had reference TSH levels. No statistically significant difference was found (p=0.485). Analysis also established that TSH does not show a significant correlation with either BMI or visceral fat proportion. The study results demonstrated no significant correlation between serum TSH levels and BMI or visceral fat proportion in women of reproductive age. Despite other research suggesting a possible connection, this study did not confirm a significant impact of TSH on body mass parameters. The findings underscore the need for further research to more precisely understand the mechanisms associated with thyroid function and body weight.