Assessment of Serum Adropin Levels in Patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Objective: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is defined as elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with normal free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels. This study aimed to evaluate serum adropin levels in patients with SCH. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included 41 patients with SCH and 43 euthyroid controls. Thyroid function tests, biochemical parameters, and serum adropin levels were measured using ELISA. The groups were statistically compared. Results: No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding age, gender, or body mass index (p>0.05). Serum adropin levels were significantly lower in the SCH group compared to the control group (136.75 +/- 41.87 ng/ mL vs. 220.65 +/- 64.93 ng/mL; p<0.001). A significant negative correlation was detected between adropin and TSH levels (r=- 0.765; p<0.001), whereas no significant correlation was found with FT3 or FT4. Conclusion: Serum adropin levels were significantly decreased in patients with SCH. Adropin may potentially serve as a biomarker for cardiometabolic risk assessment in SCH.