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Journals / Eskisehir Medical Journal / 2026 / Volume: 7 Issue: 3

The Relationship Between the Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Insulin Resistance, Inflammation, Iron Metabolism and Micronutrient Profile in Individuals with Obesity

Zeynep Irmak Kaya(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, ESKİŞEHİR ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, DAHİLİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, İÇ HASTALIKLARI ANABİLİM DALI)0000-0002-3954-1985
Abdulkadir Sağdiç(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, ESKİŞEHİR ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, DAHİLİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0002-6741-2902
Hasan Hakan Çoban(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, ESKİŞEHİR ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, DAHİLİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0001-6978-8332
Habibe Müberra Özkan(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, ESKİŞEHİR ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, DAHİLİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ)0009-0001-6374-3245
Emine Saliha Dere(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, ESKİŞEHİR ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, DAHİLİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ)0009-0008-5802-5741
Adem Yıldızdoğdu(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, ESKİŞEHİR ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, DAHİLİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ)0009-0000-3283-7743
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-08-29
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The use of the TyG index in the metabolic risk assessment of obese individuals may provide clinical benefits, particularly in the early detection of functional iron deficiency and micronutrient deficiencies.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare metabolic parameters, inflammatory markers, indicators of iron metabolism and micronutrient levels among groups of obese individuals categorised according to the Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) index, and to assess the relationship between the TyG index and these parameters.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: The data of 110 obese individuals with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² who presented at Eskişehir City Hospital were retrospectively analysed.
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Conclusion & Impact:The use of the TyG index in the metabolic risk assessment of obese individuals may provide clinical benefits, particularly in the early detection of functional iron deficiency and micronutrient deficiencies.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Obesity · Triglyceride-Glucose Index · Insulin Resistance

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare metabolic parameters, inflammatory markers, indicators of iron metabolism and micronutrient levels among groups of obese individuals categorised according to the Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) index, and to assess the relationship between the TyG index and these parameters. Methods: The data of 110 obese individuals with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² who presented at Eskişehir City Hospital were retrospectively analysed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the TyG index (Group 1: TyG 2.5) was assessed using ROC analysis. Results: In Group 2, BMI (37.8±4.5 vs. 32.4±2.1 kg/m²), waist circumference (114.2±12.6 vs. 98.6±8.4 cm), HOMA-IR (5.12±1.64 vs. 2.38±0.72), CRP (5.9±1.8 vs. 2.2±0.9 mg/L), ferritin (128±34 vs. 45±12 ng/mL) and uric acid (6.4±1.2 vs. 4.8±0.8 mg/dL) were significantly higher; serum iron (58±22 vs. 85±18 μg/dL), vitamin D (14.2±6.1 vs. 22.4±8.6 ng/mL), vitamin B12 (228±74 vs. 312±88 pg/mL), folate (7.2±2.6 vs. 9.8±3.1 ng/mL) and magnesium (1.75±0.3 vs. 2.08±0.2 mg/dL) were found to be significantly low. The strongest positive correlations with TyG were observed with HOMA-IR (r=+0.67) and CRP (r=+0.61). In the ROC analysis, the AUC value of the TyG index for predicting insulin resistance was 0.85 (p<0.001), and the optimal cut-off value was determined to be 8.85 (sensitivity 76.8%, specificity 81.2%). In the gender-based subgroup analysis, elevated uric acid levels were more pronounced in men (p=0.003 for interaction). Conclusion: The TyG index is a comprehensive metabolic marker that reflects insulin resistance, alongside inflammation, iron metabolism disorders and micronutrient deficiencies, in obese individuals. The use of the TyG index in the metabolic risk assessment of obese individuals may provide clinical benefits, particularly in the early detection of functional iron deficiency and micronutrient deficiencies.

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Cite This Article

Kaya, Z. I., Sağdiç, A., Çoban, H. H., Özkan, H. M., Dere, E. S., Yıldızdoğdu, A. (2026). The Relationship Between the Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Insulin Resistance, Inflammation, Iron Metabolism and Micronutrient Profile in Individuals with Obesity. Eskisehir Medical Journal, Volume: 7 Issue: 3. https://ajindex.com/articles/1614171

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