Insulin, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone and Lipid Levels among Obese Adult Males in Gaza Governorate.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to asses the levels of insulin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), glucose and lipid profile among obese adult males in Gaza Governorate. The relation between such parameters and obesity grades as well as between insulin, TSH and the other parameters were established. Methodology: The study sample comprised 82 obese males aged between 20-40 years. The control group consisted of 82 non-obese individuals matched cases with age. TSH and insulin levels were determined using ELISA technique while lipid profile and glucose assayed by enzymatic methods. Demographic and personal data were collected using questionnaire interview. Data were analyzed using SPSS program. Results: Obesity was significantly related to history of hyperlipidemia, inappropriate weight gain and family history (p<0.05). Getting fatigue quickly, muscle weakness and consumption of marine food, and large quantities of carbohydrates and lipids-rich food were significantly related to obesity. Walking regularly and having active job were also related to obesity. The mean levels of insulin and glucose were significantly increased in cases compared to controls (mean=13.0±13.0 μIU/mL and 91.0±20.2 mg/dl Vs 6.9±8.0 μIU/mL and 83.7±11.2 mg/dl, P=0.000 and 0.005, respectively). In contrast, the mean levels of TSH were lower in cases compared to controls (mean = 1.41±1.23 μIU/mL Vs 1.93±0.98 μIU/mL, P=0.003). The mean levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL were increased in cases compared to controls (mean=187.3±38.5 mg/dl,139.2±63.7mg/dl and119.4±34.8 mg/dl Vs174.9±43.5 mg/dl, 98.9±68.6 mg/dl and 107.9±42.4 mg/dl, respectively), whereas the mean level of HDL was significantly decreased in cases compared to controls (40.1±10.9 mg/dl Vs 47.7±9.6 mg/dl). There were no significant relations between the studied parameters including insulin, TSH, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL, and different grades of obesity. The increases in the mean levels of insulin throughout the three categories of< 9, 9-18 and >18 μIU/mL were significantly associated with increasing glucose levels (F=5.619, P=0.005). On the other hand, the relation of insulin with other parameters was not significant (P>0.05). There was no significant relation between TSH and other parameters (P>0.05). Insulin level showed strong positive correlation with glucose level (r=0.470). This correlation was significant (P=0.000). TSH level showed relatively weak negative correlations with total cholesterol and LDL levels (r=-0.233, r=-0.227, respectively). Such correlations were significant with P=0.036 and P=0.041, respectively. Recommendations: We recommend that obese individuals must follow diet and do exercise to reduce weight in order to avoid dangerous diseases. Insulin test is a very important test for obese individuals; this test may predict if the obese person is pre-diabetic or not and frequent monitoring of lipid profile is necessary for obese individuals.