THYROID AUTOIMMUNITY IN THE CONTEXT OF OBESITY, INSULIN RESISTANCE AND METABOLIC RISK: CURRENT EVIDENCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5371Keywords:
Thyroid Autoimmunity, Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, Thyroid Autoantibodies, Euthyroid StateAbstract
Background: Patients with obesity may show thyroid autoantibodies despite preserved thyroid hormone levels. The significance of this finding for insulin resistance and metabolic disturbances is not fully defined.
Aim: To summarise current evidence on the relationships between thyroid autoimmunity, obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic risk, with particular attention to euthyroid individuals.
Methods: Population-based, observational, and interventional studies published in recent years were reviewed. The literature was analysed in relation to thyroid autoantibodies, metabolic characteristics, markers of insulin resistance, and the effects of metabolic interventions.
Results: Thyroid autoantibodies occur more often in people with obesity and metabolic syndrome, particularly in those with abdominal obesity and lipid disturbances. Associations with glucose levels and blood pressure are less consistent.
In euthyroid individuals, thyroid autoimmunity is commonly accompanied by insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia, along with altered adipokine profiles and markers of low-grade inflammation.
Weight reduction achieved through dietary intervention or bariatric surgery has been associated with lower thyroid autoantibody levels. At the same time, patients with thyroid autoimmunity tend to achieve smaller reductions in body weight compared with those without antibodies.
Conclusions: Thyroid autoimmunity is linked to specific metabolic phenotypes rather than acting as an independent determinant of metabolic risk. Improvement in metabolic status may be associated with reduced autoimmune activity, while the presence of thyroid autoimmunity appears to be related to a less favourable response to weight-loss interventions.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Wiktoria Polkowska, Katarzyna Tłustochowicz, Magdalena Korba, Adrianna Kowalik, Agnieszka Krajewska, Agnieszka Maria Korzeniewska, Julia Agnieszka Dębczak, Natalia Malicka, Karolina Łuczak
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