The Association Between Circulating Trans Fatty Acids and Thyroid Function Measures in U.S. Adults

BackgroundThere has been controversial evidence regarding the effect of trans fatty acids (TFAs) on thyroid function in animal studies, and the epidemiological studies are lacking. We aimed to investigate the potential associations between circulating TFAs and thyroid function biomarkers in a U.S. adult population sample.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional survey with 626 adults aged ≥20 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2010. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to elucidate the relationships between circulating concentrations of TFAs (palmitelaidic acid, vaccenic acid, elaidic acid, linoelaidic acid and the sum of the four TFAs) and a panel of thyroid function measures.ResultsFor 626 adults, positive associations were found between palmitelaidic acid, elaidic acid and total thyroxine (TT4), between palmitelaidic acid and total triiodothyronine (TT3), and between linolelaidic acid and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), while linolelaidic acid was negatively associated with free thyroxine (FT4) (all P