Bolzano, Italy, December 5: While childhood obesity is well known to fuel diabetic and cardio troubles, a new Italian research asserts it might also disturb the thyroid function, creating a vicious cycle of frail metabolism and weight gain.
The study featuring in the current issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism pronounces a clear link between hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid function) and weight gain.
Thyroid, one of the largest endocrine glands in the body, is primed to release hormones typically associated to metabolism and other important functions.
By controlling the speed at which the body burns energy, the hormones regulate the rate of growth of body. While an underactive thyroid gland slows the process of metabolism, the overproduction of the hormones over-stimulates the metabolism.
Interestingly, while thyroid disorders (especially underactive) were always believed to trigger obesity, it’s actually the reverse, researchers found.
The study, held at the Regional Hospital of Bolzano, Italy, monitored 186 obese children for three years.
Besides the blood test measuring their thyroid hormone levels and thyroid antibodies, the children went through ultrasound tests which captured the structural changes in the thyroid.
Interestingly, while the changes in thyroid structure signaled the presence of an autoimmune disease Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a condition in which in which T-cells mistakenly attack the thyroid, the thyroid antibody scores contradicted its presence.
Moreover, as the BMI (Body Mass Index is defined as the individual's body weight divided by the square of their height) increased, the thyroid hormone levels were known to decrease.
"We found an association between body mass index and thyroid hormone levels which suggests that fat excess may have a role in thyroid tissue modification," Dr. Giorgio Radetti of the Regional Hospital of Bolzano, Italy, averred.
Moreover, as the children exercised to lose weight, their thyroid apparently functioned better. However, the structural changes in the thyroid captured during ultrasounds did not reverse, researchers noted.
Overweight children often grow up into overweight adults, making them susceptible to a range of life-threatening conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep problems and cancer. Besides the obesity outcomes, hypothyroidism in pediatric patients can cause mental retardation, delayed development and impaired memory.
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