Does serum TSH level act as a surrogate marker for psychological stress and cardio-metabolic risk among adolescent and young people?

Niranjan Gopal; Akash Shivaji Pune; Roshan Takhelmayum; Ashok Kumar Ahirwar

doi:10.1515/hmbci-2021-0021

Article

Does serum TSH level act as a surrogate marker for psychological stress and cardio-metabolic risk among adolescent and young people?

Niranjan Gopal , Akash Shivaji Pune , Roshan Takhelmayum and Ashok Kumar Ahirwar

Published/Copyright: September 16, 2021

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From the journal Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation Volume 43 Issue 1

Abstract

Objectives

The incidence of metabolic syndrome is increasing even at younger ages. Metabolic syndrome constitutes a group of cardiovascular risk factors that include high cholesterol, triacylglycerol, hyperglycemia, central obesity, etc., which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, may be even cancer. Indian students enter colleges just after crossing their adolescent age and will be exposed to greater academic stress. Psychological stress or depression is associated with transient change in thyroid hormones level or dysfunction. To explore an association among serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels, fT3:fT4 ratio, psychological stress scores, and selected known cardio-metabolic risk markers.

Methods

Forty first year MBBS students were included. Their demographic, anthropometric variables, and the blood pressure were documented. Serum TSH, fT3, fT4, and salivary cortisol level was quantified. The stress level was assessed using Cohen Perceived Stress Scale Scoring. Data were expressed in mean ± standard deviation. Data (parametric/non-parametric) were compared by Independent unpaired ANOVA or Kruskal Wallis test whichever is appropriate. Spearmen correlation analysis was performed.

Results

Serum TSH and Cohen stress score are negatively correlated (r=−0.152), but serum cortisol showed (r=0.763) a positive correlation. TSH levels and the marks obtained in the summative assessments were negatively correlated and the correlation was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

The psychological stress is associated with low serum TSH, high cortisol, and poor academic performance in first year MBBS students. Blood pressure, plasma glucose, and anthropometric measures were not associated with the psychological stress.

Keywords: adolescent; cardio-metabolic risk; psychological stress; Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH); young people

Corresponding author: Dr. Niranjan Gopal, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Plot No: 2, Sector: 20, MIHAN, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, Mobile: +91 9442435934, E-mail: gopal.niranjan@gmail.com

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for the awarding Short Term Studentship (STS) to Mr. Akash Shivaji Pune, Student (ICMR-STS REFERNCE ID: 2019-05726), MBBS Phase II, under the guidance of Dr. Niranjan Gopal.

Research funding: None declared.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
Ethical approval: The local Institutional Review Board deemed the study exempt from review.

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Received: 2021-03-07

Accepted: 2021-08-18

Published Online: 2021-09-16

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/hmbci-2021-0021

Keywords for this article

adolescent; cardio-metabolic risk; psychological stress; Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH); young people