Frequency of Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of thyroid dysfunction in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Medicine Department, Islamabad, Pakistan, from August 2025 to February 2026. A total of 370 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were included; they were screened for the presence of any abnormality in the thyroid function (overt/subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism). Thyroid dysfunction stratification was done based on confounding variables. Post-stratification analysis was done using the chi-square test.

Results: Median age was 54.00 (22.00) years. There were 197 (53.20%) male and 173 (46.80%) female patients. Median BMI was 30.46 (8.15) kg/m². History of smoking, diabetes, and hypertension was positive in 274 (74.10%), 186 (50.30%), and 187 (50.50%), respectively. Among non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients, the frequency of thyroid dysfunction was 92 (24.90%). A total of 46 (12.43%) patients had subclinical hypothyroidism, 29 (7.84%) had overt hypothyroidism, and 17 (4.59%) had hyperthyroidism.

Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction was found in 24.9% of the patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with subclinical hypothyroidism being the most common type of dysfunction.

Keywords: Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease,