Understanding thyroid risk in patients with OSAHS and obesity

Summaries 2 min 242

Font Size

Created On: 11/11/2025

Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome, Obesity

Previous studies have shown a robust connection between obesity and thyroid function disturbances in people with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

See All

Key take away

People with OSAHS and obesity face an increased likelihood of subclinical hypothyroidism, with variations in TSH levels closely associated with BMI, LDL-C, and L-SaO2.

Background

Previous studies have shown a robust connection between obesity and thyroid function disturbances in people with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). This study sought to assess thyroid hormone profiles in patients with OSAHS complicated by obesity. The objective was to identify alterations in thyroid hormones, explore their potential metabolic risks, and clarify the clinical relevance of thyroid dysfunction in this patient population.

Method

A total of 134 volunteers were classified into 4 groups: healthy controls, obesity only, OSAHS with obesity, and OSAHS without obesity. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) were estimated via electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Clinical metabolic markers like total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were recorded. In addition, sleep-respiratory indices like apnea-hypopnea index, maximum apnea duration (TAmax), oxygen desaturation index, lowest oxygen saturation (L-SaO2), and mean oxygen saturation (M-SaO2) were evaluated.

Result

Compared with the other groups, patients with both OSAHS and obesity exhibited substantially higher FT3, TSH, and oxygen desaturation index levels, along with lower L-SaO2. Their triglycerides and LDL-C concentrations were also greater than those observed in the OSAHS and control groups. TSH levels showed a positive correlation with both LDL-C and body mass index (BMI), but a negative correlation with L-SaO2. In the obesity-only group, FT3, TSH, triglycerides, oxygen desaturation index, and TAmax were raised, while L-SaO2 and M-SaO2 were reduced when compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Those with coexisting OSAHS and obesity face a heightened risk of subclinical hypothyroidism. Alterations in TSH levels appear to be influenced by LDL-C, BMI, and L-SaO2, highlighting their potential role in metabolic and endocrine complications.