Data from: Novel clinical evidence of an association between homocysteine and insulin resistance in patients with hypothyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism

Objective: Hypothyroidism (HO) can induce significant metabolic
dysfunction and increase cardiovascular disease risk. In the present
study, we investigated the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy) and
insulin resistance (IR) in patients with HO or subclinical hypothyroidism
(SHO). Methods: A total of 270 subjects were enrolled. All subjects were
divided into the following three groups: HO, SHO and control. Plasma
levels of Hcy were measured, and each patient’s homeostatic index of
insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Statistical analyses were
carried out to evaluate the correlations among groups and to determine the
predictors of IR in patients with HO or SHO. Results: The HOMA-IR value
was significantly higher in the HO group than in the SHO and control
groups. Plasma levels of Hcy were markedly increased in the HO group
compared with those of the SHO group and controls. In addition, plasma
levels of Hcy were positively correlated with the HOMA-IR values in both
the HO and SHO groups. Multiple linear regression models showed that
plasma levels of Hcy and free thyroxine (FT4) were the only predictors of
HOMA-IR in patients with HO or SHO. Conclusions: Plasma levels of Hcy and
HOMA-IR were increased in patients with HO or SHO. Our results suggest
that HO and SHO may increase the risk for atherogenesis and cardiovascular
disease by increased IR. The increased IR induced by hyperhomocysteinemia
in patients with HO or SHO may partially explain this adverse effect.