Circulating leptin levels in thyroid dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Purpose Leptin is an important regulator of energy homeostasis, analogous to thyroid hormone (TH). The purpose of this study was to investigate circulating leptin levels in thyroid dysfunction (TD) patients and the role of TH levels. Methods The electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane...
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2025-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Endocrine Disorders |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-025-01943-y |
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| author | Shanshan Liu Jun Ma Leyuan Zhang Yanlong Yang Ziqi Han Limin Tian |
| author_facet | Shanshan Liu Jun Ma Leyuan Zhang Yanlong Yang Ziqi Han Limin Tian |
| author_sort | Shanshan Liu |
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| description | Abstract Purpose Leptin is an important regulator of energy homeostasis, analogous to thyroid hormone (TH). The purpose of this study was to investigate circulating leptin levels in thyroid dysfunction (TD) patients and the role of TH levels. Methods The electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were independently searched by two researchers, from inception until February 3, 2024, and updated on February 15, 2025. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by the random effects model. Results Thirty-eight studies reported circulating leptin levels in TD and control with euthyroidism, 4295 subjects were included in total, of which 1277 were hypothyroidism, 540 were hyperthyroidism, and 2478 were control. Compared to euthyroidism, leptin levels were significantly higher in hypothyroidism, and not significantly altered in hyperthyroidism (SMD [95%CI] = 0.71 [0.38, 1.04] and -0.03 [-0.57, 0.51], respectively). The subgroup analysis indicated that, compared to euthyroidism, leptin levels were significantly higher in subjects regardless of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism (SMD [95%CI] = 0.76 [0.25, 1.26] and 0.41 [0.11, 0.70], respectively), and not significantly different in overt hyperthyroidism (SMD [95%CI] = -0.14 [-0.74, 0.45]). Furthermore, when compared to age-, gender-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched euthyroidism, leptin levels were significantly higher in hypothyroidism and had no significant difference in hyperthyroidism (SMD [95%CI] = 0.66 [0.24, 1.07] and -0.43 [-1.13, 0.27], respectively). A total of 16 studies analyzed the correlations between leptin levels and TH levels in TD, 488 were hypothyroidism and 206 were hyperthyroidism. Following correlation analysis, leptin levels displayed a positive correlation with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (r = 0.19) and a negative correlation with triiodothyronine (T3) levels (r = -0.40) in TD. Conclusion Compared to euthyroidism, circulating leptin levels were significantly higher in hypothyroidism, and not significantly altered in hyperthyroidism. Besides, leptin levels in TD may be directly regulated by TSH and T3 levels, independent of BMI. Trial registration CRD42024561055. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4a4aed9b86bd49b2b9dfe78280af0f9d |
| institution | OA Journals |
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| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| series | BMC Endocrine Disorders |
| spelling | doaj-art-4a4aed9b86bd49b2b9dfe78280af0f9d2025-08-20T02:30:42ZengBMCBMC Endocrine Disorders1472-68232025-06-0125111510.1186/s12902-025-01943-yCirculating leptin levels in thyroid dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysisShanshan Liu0Jun Ma1Leyuan Zhang2Yanlong Yang3Ziqi Han4Limin Tian5The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese MedicineThe First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese MedicineThe First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese MedicineThe First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Endocrinology, Gansu Provincial HospitalDepartment of Endocrinology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaAbstract Purpose Leptin is an important regulator of energy homeostasis, analogous to thyroid hormone (TH). The purpose of this study was to investigate circulating leptin levels in thyroid dysfunction (TD) patients and the role of TH levels. Methods The electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were independently searched by two researchers, from inception until February 3, 2024, and updated on February 15, 2025. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by the random effects model. Results Thirty-eight studies reported circulating leptin levels in TD and control with euthyroidism, 4295 subjects were included in total, of which 1277 were hypothyroidism, 540 were hyperthyroidism, and 2478 were control. Compared to euthyroidism, leptin levels were significantly higher in hypothyroidism, and not significantly altered in hyperthyroidism (SMD [95%CI] = 0.71 [0.38, 1.04] and -0.03 [-0.57, 0.51], respectively). The subgroup analysis indicated that, compared to euthyroidism, leptin levels were significantly higher in subjects regardless of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism (SMD [95%CI] = 0.76 [0.25, 1.26] and 0.41 [0.11, 0.70], respectively), and not significantly different in overt hyperthyroidism (SMD [95%CI] = -0.14 [-0.74, 0.45]). Furthermore, when compared to age-, gender-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched euthyroidism, leptin levels were significantly higher in hypothyroidism and had no significant difference in hyperthyroidism (SMD [95%CI] = 0.66 [0.24, 1.07] and -0.43 [-1.13, 0.27], respectively). A total of 16 studies analyzed the correlations between leptin levels and TH levels in TD, 488 were hypothyroidism and 206 were hyperthyroidism. Following correlation analysis, leptin levels displayed a positive correlation with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (r = 0.19) and a negative correlation with triiodothyronine (T3) levels (r = -0.40) in TD. Conclusion Compared to euthyroidism, circulating leptin levels were significantly higher in hypothyroidism, and not significantly altered in hyperthyroidism. Besides, leptin levels in TD may be directly regulated by TSH and T3 levels, independent of BMI. Trial registration CRD42024561055.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-025-01943-yLeptinThyroid dysfunctionThyroid hormoneMeta-analysis |
| spellingShingle | Shanshan Liu Jun Ma Leyuan Zhang Yanlong Yang Ziqi Han Limin Tian Circulating leptin levels in thyroid dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis BMC Endocrine Disorders Leptin Thyroid dysfunction Thyroid hormone Meta-analysis |
| title | Circulating leptin levels in thyroid dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Circulating leptin levels in thyroid dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Circulating leptin levels in thyroid dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Circulating leptin levels in thyroid dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Circulating leptin levels in thyroid dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | circulating leptin levels in thyroid dysfunction a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Leptin Thyroid dysfunction Thyroid hormone Meta-analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-025-01943-y |
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