Serum TSH level in healthy Koreans and the association of TSH with serum lipid concentration and metabolic syndrome.

Background/aims: The proper treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism and the normal range of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration are intensely debated. However, few reports have investigated TSH concentrations in Asian ethnic groups. Therefore, the present study was designed to define the TSH reference range in a Korean population and to investigate the metabolic significance of TSH concentration.

The clinical characteristics of the newly diagnosed early onset (< 40 years old) diabetes in outpatients' clinic.

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in young adults and adolescents has increased in the last decade according to the increasing obese population. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus before the age of 40 years as compared with patients diagnosed at older ages.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, retrospective study using data from 350 diabetic patients who were diagnosed with diabetes in an outpatient setting between January 2005 and December 2007.

Normal range of alanine aminotransferase concentration is associated with carotid atherosclerosis.

Objective: To investigate whether alanine aminotransferase (ALT), even within the reference range, is associated with atherosclerotic burden in apparently healthy adults.

Methods: This was an observational study performed on 830 healthy individuals with normal ALT concentration ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF