Trained interviewers obtained information on clinical characteristics. Body weight and height were measured with an automatic body composition analyzer (BF-220; Tanita, Tokyo, Japan) to calculate BMI (kg/m2). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were recorded at rest.
A fasting blood sample was collected. TSH, free T3, and free T4 levels were measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) at the LSI Medience Corporation (Tokyo, Japan). Normal ranges for free T3 (2.1–4.1 pg/mL), free T4 (1.0–1.7 ng/dL), and TSH (0.39–4.01 μIU/mL) based on this method were reported [12 ]. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), and serum creatinine levels were measured using standard procedures at SRL, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan).
The presence of thyroid cysts was determined by experienced ultrasound technicians using a LOGIQ Book XP with a 10-MHz transducer (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). For the present study, a thyroid cyst was defined as a structure with a maximum diameter of ≥ 2.0 mm and no solid components [5 (link), 8 (link), 9 (link)].
Spot urine dipstick was used to assess for the presence of proteinuria. Proteinuria was diagnosed as +1 or above.
A fasting blood sample was collected. TSH, free T3, and free T4 levels were measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) at the LSI Medience Corporation (Tokyo, Japan). Normal ranges for free T3 (2.1–4.1 pg/mL), free T4 (1.0–1.7 ng/dL), and TSH (0.39–4.01 μIU/mL) based on this method were reported [12 ]. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), and serum creatinine levels were measured using standard procedures at SRL, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan).
The presence of thyroid cysts was determined by experienced ultrasound technicians using a LOGIQ Book XP with a 10-MHz transducer (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). For the present study, a thyroid cyst was defined as a structure with a maximum diameter of ≥ 2.0 mm and no solid components [5 (link), 8 (link), 9 (link)].
Spot urine dipstick was used to assess for the presence of proteinuria. Proteinuria was diagnosed as +1 or above.
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