EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF TCM BODY CONSTITUTIONS ON EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND THYROID HORMONE LEVELS IN ATHLETES WITH INDIFFERENT HYPERTHYROIDISM

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the distribution of TCM constitutions among athletes with indifferent hyperthyroidism and explore correlations between these constitutions, emotional health, and thyroid hormone levels. Methods: A total of 106 athletes diagnosed with indifferent hyperthyroidism were assessed at our hospital. TCM constitution types, including kidney yang deficiency, spleen yang deficiency, heart yang deficiency, and yang deficiency dangerous syndrome, were identified. Thyroid hormone levels (TSH, FT3, FT4), thyroid autoantibodies (TRAb, TPOAb, TGAb), and emotional states (using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale) were measured. Spearman’s correlation analysis was utilized to explore the relationships between TCM constitution types, emotional states, and thyroid function. Results: Distribution of TCM constitution types showed the highest prevalence in kidney yang deficiency and the lowest in yang deficiency dangerous syndrome among the athletes. Significant variances were found in thyroid function and antibody levels across different TCM types, with yang deficiency dangerous syndrome showing the highest thyroid dysfunction. Emotional assessments revealed that athletes with yang deficiency dangerous syndrome had the highest levels of anxiety and depression. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between all measured thyroid function markers, emotional states, and TCM constitution types (P<0.05). Conclusion: TCM constitution types such as kidney yang deficiency and spleen yang deficiency are prevalent in athletes with indifferent hyperthyroidism, and there are significant associations between these constitutional types, negative emotional states, and thyroid hormone dysregulation. These findings underscore the importance of considering TCM constitutional analysis in the holistic management of thyroid health and emotional well-being in athletes, suggesting that a tailored approach to treatment could enhance both health outcomes and athletic performance.