Relationship of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Serum Level of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in Normal Reference Range

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can increase the incidence of cardiovascular disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Thyroid hormones also play important roles in hepatic lipid metabolism and hepatic insulin resistance. Hypothyroidism is associated with reduced lipolysis and decreased liver uptake of free fatty acids derived from triglycerides. In recent years, the correlation between overt or subclinical hypothyroidism and NAFLD has been discussed. The relationship between NAFLD and thyroid function parameters remains unclear.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum level of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) within normal reference range and Non Alcoholic fatty liver Disease (NAFLD).

Subjects and Methods: This is a cross sectional case control study on 40 patients with NAFLD and a control group of 20 healthy individuals, who were attendants of Outpatient Clinic of Internal Medicine Department of Tanta University Hospitals and EL-Menshawy General Hospital from February 2018 to the end of January 2019.

Results: In the present study, univariate regression analysis showed that serum levels of AST, FT3, FT4 and Anti-TPO were independent risk factors of NAFLD, while in multivariate analysis the only independent risk factor of NAFLD was Anti-TPO serum level.

Conclusion: Serum levels of AST, FT3, FT4 and Anti-TPO were independent risk factors of NAFLD in univariate regression analysis, while in multivariate analysis the only independent risk factor of NAFLD was Anti-TPO serum level. Despite the positive correlation between serum TSH level and grade of NAFLD, the study didn’t show serum TSH level as independent risk factor of NAFLD.