Risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and cardiovascular disease is not fully understood. We investigated risk factors for cardiovascular disease (lipid profile, lipoproteins, insulin resistance, C-reactive protein [CRP] homocysteine [Hcy] and fibrinogen levels) and their relationships with thyroid hormones in SCH patients and controls.

METHODS:

Thirty-eight SCH patients and 44 controls were enrolled in this study. No patients had any substantial confounding medical conditions (including diabetes mellitus or coronary heart disease) or were taking thyroid-related medication.

RESULTS:

Serum total cholesterol (P<0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.05) and triglycerides (P<0.001) were higher in patients with SCH than in controls. Serum lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) levels were higher in SCH subjects but this difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.07). No significant differences were noted in CRP, Hcy, fibrinogen, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B (Apo B) or insulin resistance between patients with SCH and controls (in all cases, P>0.05). Free triiodothyronine (FT3) negatively correlated with Apo B (r=.0.46, P=0.005) and Lp(a) (r=.0.31, P=0.03) in patients with SCH and negatively correlated with Lp(a) (r=.0.30, P=0.04) in controls. All of these parameters were comparable between patients with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) >10 microIU/ml and TSH <10 microIU/ml (in SCH patients, P>0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest that SCH is associated with some lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities. Our results also suggest that this association does not depend on the subject's TSH level.

• Authors: Fusun Toruner, Alev E Altinova, Ayhan Karakoc, Ilhan Yetkin, Goksun Ayvaz, Nuri Cakir, Metin Arslan
• Journal: Advances in therapy (Adv Ther) Vol. 25 Issue 5 Pg. 430-7 (May 2008) ISSN: 0741-238X [Print] United States
• PMID: 18484201 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Lipids
• Lipoproteins

Topics

• Adult
• Atherosclerosis (etiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypothyroidism (blood, complications)
• Lipids (blood)
• Lipoproteins (blood)
• Male
• Risk Factors