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Observational Study
. 2019 May 20;11(5):1121.
doi: 10.3390/nu11051121.

Effect of Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery on Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Levels in Euthyroid Patients with Morbid Obesity

Paula Juiz-Valiña  1   2 , Elena Outeiriño-Blanco  3 , Sonia Pértega  4 , Bárbara María Varela-Rodriguez  5   6 , María Jesús García-Brao  7 , Enrique Mena  8 , Lara Pena-Bello  9   10 , María Cordido  11   12 , Susana Sangiao-Alvarellos  13   14 , Fernando Cordido  15   16   17
Affiliations
Observational Study

Effect of Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery on Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Levels in Euthyroid Patients with Morbid Obesity

Paula Juiz-Valiña et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Obesity is associated with several endocrine abnormalities, including thyroid dysfunction. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of weight loss after bariatric surgery on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in euthyroid patients with morbid obesity. We performed an observational study, evaluating patients with morbid obesity submitted to bariatric surgery. We included 129 patients (92 women) and 31 controls (21 women). Clinical, anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal parameters were evaluated. The primary endpoint was circulating TSH (µU/mL). Fasting TSH levels were higher in the obese group (3.3 ± 0.2) than in the control group (2.1 ± 0.2). The mean excessive body mass index (BMI) loss (EBMIL) 12 months after bariatric surgery was 72.7 ± 2.1%. TSH levels significantly decreased in the obese patients after surgery; 3.3 ± 0.2 vs. 2.1 ± 0.2 before and 12 months after surgery, respectively. Free thyroxine (T4) (ng/dL) levels significantly decreased in the obese patients after surgery; 1.47 ± 0.02 vs. 1.12 ± 0.02 before and 12 months after surgery, respectively. TSH decreased significantly over time, and the decrement was associated with the EBMIL. In euthyroid patients with morbid obesity, weight loss induced by bariatric surgery promotes a significant decline of the increased TSH levels. This decrement of TSH is progressive over time after surgery and significantly associated with excess BMI loss.

Keywords: TSH; bariatric surgery; obesity; thyroid; weight loss.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest related with this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
TSH values (median (IR)) in control subjects and obese patient before and 12 months after surgery. Differences were assessed by Student’s t-test for normally distributed data and the Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison of medians. P-values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Evolution over time of TSH (median (IR)) before and after surgery (0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 months). Differences were assessed by Student’s t-test for normally distributed data, and the Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison of medians. p-values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.
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