Thyroid dysfunction and its association with micronutrients, lipids, and inflammation: an analytical case-control study.

BACKGROUND

Biochemical, inflammatory, and immunological markers may provide insight into systemic alterations in individuals with or without thyroid dysfunction.

AIM: This study compared a comprehensive biomarker profile between adults without thyroid disease and those with thyroid dysfunction, and examined gender differences, correlations, and predictive markers.

METHODS

In this case-control study, 120 adults without thyroid disease (cases) and 120 adults with thyroid dysfunction (controls) were enrolled. Demographics, anthropometry, and biochemical parameters-including thyroid hormones, micronutrients, lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, and Epstein-Barr virus PCR-were assessed. Between-group differences were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the χ² test. Spearman's rho was used to determine correlations, and multivariable linear regression was used to identify predictors of group status.

RESULTS

Cases and controls were similar in age (60 ± 12 vs. 60 ± 10.5 years) and body mass index (BMI) (24.85 ± 3.69 vs. 25.58 ± 3.39 kg/m²). Compared with controls, cases had significantly lower zinc (97.98 vs. 143.03 µg/dL), vitamin D₃ (88.24 vs. 152.76 nmol/L), and HDL (88.75 vs. 152.25 mg/dL), but higher serum cholesterol (159.56 vs. 81.44 mg/dL), triglycerides (TG) (171.08 vs. 69.92 mg/dL), LDL (136.06 vs. 104.94 mg/dL), and CRP (140.05 vs. 100.95 mg/L) (all p < 0.001). In controls, TSH correlated positively with the Urea Breath Test (UBT) (rho = 0.334) and negatively with LDL (rho=-0.255). In cases, T3 showed a strong correlation with UBT (rho = 0.625) and a moderate correlation with PCR-EBV (rho = 0.417), while TSH correlated with UBT (rho = 0.434) and CRP (rho = 0.264). Regression analysis identified serum TG (β = 76.806, R²=0.462) and cholesterol (β = 64.834, R²=0.337) as the strongest predictors of case-control status.

CONCLUSION

Adults without thyroid disease exhibit distinct biochemical and inflammatory profiles compared with those with thyroid dysfunction, highlighting lipid, micronutrient, and inflammatory markers as potential targets for risk stratification and clinical monitoring.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.