Quality of life in patients with primary hypothyroidism related to BMI

Abstract

Objective: Many patients treated for primary hypothyroidism have an unexplained reduced quality of life (QOL). We studied the relation between QOL and various parameters in treated hypothyroid patients. Design and methods: QOL analysis was done in 90 consecutive patients (77.8% females) treated for primary hypothyroidism. QOL was measured by the questionnaires Short-Form 36, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and MFI20. Post hoc analysis was performed on the relation of QOL at baseline and BMI, thyroid hormones and other serum values. QOL in patients was also compared to the general population. Results: QOL was decreased compared to the general population. We found an inverse relationship between QOL and BMI. A relationship between QOL and serum thyroid parameters or auto-antibodies could not be found. Higher sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels corresponded with a better QOL, which is explained by the negative association of SHBG with body weight and BMI. Conclusions: A decreased QOL in hypothyroid patients on thyroxine treatment is related to a higher body weight (BMI). Weight gain needs more attention in the treatment of hypothyroidism.

Is thyroid autoimmunity itself associated with psychological well-being in euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?

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Thyroid hormone and its metabolites in relation to quality of life in patients treated for differentiated thyroid cancer

“…1 Despite adequate restoration of biochemical euthyroidism with replacement therapy with levothyroxine (LT4), a substantial part of patients (~10-15%) display significant impairment of psychological well-being compared to controls of similar age and sex and show decrements in health status. [2][3][4][5][6] There are a couple of explanations for these persisting symptoms. First, the presence of associated autoimmune diseases or thyroid autoimmunity per se could account for persisting symptoms.…”

Associated or Concomitant Diseases Influence Significantly the Health-Sickness Concept in Celiacs

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