Title:Prevalence of Functional Alterations and the Effects of Thyroid
Autoimmunity on the Levels of TSH in an Urban Population of Colombia:
A Population-Based Study
Volume: 23
Issue: 6
Author(s): Hernando Vargas-Uricoechea*, Valentina Agredo-Delgado, Hernando David Vargas-Sierra and María V. Pinzón-Fernández
Affiliation:
- Metabolic Diseases Study Group, Department of Internal Medicine, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
Keywords:
TSH, thyroid, autoimmunity, TPOAb, TgAb, population-based study.
Abstract:
Background: The population prevalence of functional alterations and thyroid
autoimmunity is high, and numerous genetic and environmental aspects have been described as
triggering factors.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of functional alterations and
thyroid autoimmunity in an urban population of Colombia.
Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional, population-based study (n = 9,638) conducted on an
urban population of Popayán-Cauca-Colombia between February 5th, 2018, to December 11th, 2021.
The variables evaluated were thyrotropin (TSH), free T4 (FT4), and anti-thyroid antibodies (thyroid
peroxidase antibodies: TPOAb, and thyroglobulin antibodies: TgAb).
Results: TSH in men was significantly higher than in women. No differences were observed in the
values of FT4, TPOAb, and TgAb (according to sex). The prevalence of normal thyroid function and
subclinical hypothyroidism was significantly higher in men. The positivity of TPOAb and TgAb was
22.3% and 19.2%, respectively. TSH levels increased with age (both in men and in women). In
participants with normal FT4 and negative TPOAb, the TSH was significantly higher. TSH was
significantly higher in TPOAb-positive individuals and among those with TPOAb and TgAb positives,
as well as in women with positive TPOAb and men with positive TPOAb and TgAb.
Conclusion: In an urban population of Colombia, TSH was found to be higher than in populations of
other geographical areas, especially in older individuals and in the presence of positive anti-thyroid
antibodies, a high prevalence of functional alterations and thyroid autoimmunity was also found.
These findings can be explained by excess iodine consumption and some environmental factors.
