Abstract
Background and objectives:
Thyroid hormones play an important role in regulating lipid metabolism. Overt hypothyroidism is associated with atherosclerotic lipid profile pattern and coronary heart disease. Whether subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is associated with increased lipid profile parameters leading to cardiovascular risk is controversial. Data on the risk of cardiovascular disease are conflicting. This study was done to investigate the changes in the lipid profile parameters in subclinical hypothyroidism indicating the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Materials and Methods:
60 SCH cases were compared with 30 euthyroid controls. Serums T3, T4, TSH were estimated by ELISA method, Serum Total-Cholesterol, HDL-Cholesterol by enzymatic CHOD-PAP method, Triglycerides by GPO-POD method and LDL-Cholesterol using Friedewald formula.
Results:
Significant increase was found in the mean serum levels of TSH (P<0.001), Total cholesterol (p<0.001), Triglycerides (P<0.001), LDL Cholesterol (P<0.001). No significant change was observed in levels of serum T4, HDL-Cholesterol. Percentage of subjects with increased Total Cholesterol , Triglycerides, LDL-C and decreased HDL-C were more in subclinical hypothyroidism as compared to euthyroid controls indicating the dyslipidemia in subclinical hypothyroidism.
Conclusion:
The Study revealed that the dyslipidemic state is seen in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism leading to increased risk for cardiovascular disease. This indicates the importance of screening the patients for subclinical hypothyroidism and weigh in favor of treating the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.
Keywords: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), overt hypothyroidism, coronary heart disease, cholesterol.