Elevated FT4 is associated with higher odds of prevalent stroke in euthyroid adults.
Elevated FT4 is associated with prevalent stroke in euthyroid adults: a cross‑sectional study.
Wenmei Sun et al. · Scientific reports · 2026
Background
Research on normal‑range thyroid function and stroke remains inconsistent.
Results
Higher FT4 levels are associated with 1.33 times higher odds of prevalent stroke.
OR 1.33 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.65)
CI excludes the null - significant
More results
In this cross‑sectional study of 6,932 euthyroid adults from NHANES 2007‑2012, we examined associations of thyroid hormone sensitivity indices with prevalent stroke using multivariable logistic regression, subgroup, mediation, and sensitivity analyses, with independent clinical validation.
More results
After full adjustment for demographic and lifestyle factors, FT4 (OR = 1.11 per pmol/L, 95% CI 1.01‑1.22, P = 0.037) and TFQI (OR = 1.97 per unit, 95% CI 1.04‑3.74, P = 0.047) were positively associated with prevalent stroke.
Sensitivity analyses using an alternative age cut‑off of 70 years and age‑specific TSH reference intervals for older adults confirmed robustness.
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Conclusion
Prospective studies are needed to establish causality.