Insulin resistance, leptin and adiponectin in lean and hypothyroid children and adolescents with obesity.

Background: Obesity usually complicates hypothyroidism. Adipokines like leptin and adiponectin secreted by adipose tissue modulate insulin resistance (IR), appetite, and obesity. The association between adipokines, IR, and thyroid hormone has not been sufficiently studied in children. We investigated leptin and adiponectin as well as IR and their association with thyroid hormone in both lean and hypothyroid children and adolescents with obesity.

Methods: The study included 30 lean hypothyroid, 30 hypothyroid children and adolescents with obesity, and 30 healthy lean children as the control group. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment method of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), leptin, and adiponectin levels were estimated in all participants.

Results: Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and leptin levels were significantly elevated in hypothyroid children compared to the control group; more in hypothyroid children with obesity. In contrast, adiponectin levels were significantly lower in the hypothyroid children with obesity compared to the lean hypothyroid children and controls. HOMA-IR was positively correlated to TSH and BMI but inversely correlated with fT3 and fT4 in hypothyroid children. There was no correlation between IR and either leptin or adiponectin levels. Leptin and adiponectin levels correlated well with BMI in hypothyroid children and adolescents with obesity.

Conclusion: Insulin resistance and leptin levels are increased in hypothyroid children and adolescents; more in those with obesity. IR is not related to leptin and adiponectin levels, however, leptin and adiponectin levels correlate well with BMI in hypothyroid children and adolescents with obesity.

Impact: Insulin resistance (IR) and leptin levels increase in hypothyroid children and adolescent; more with obesity. IR is not related to leptin and adiponectin levels, however leptin and adiponectin levels correlated well with BMI in hypothyroid children and adolescents with obesity.