Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Title abbreviation: Adv Clin Exp Med
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ISSN 1899–5276 (print)
ISSN 2451-2680 (online)
Periodicity – monthly

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Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

2016, vol. 25, nr 3, May-June, p. 457–463

doi: 10.17219/acem/38555

Publication type: original article

Language: English

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Evaluation of Selected Atherosclerosis Risk Factors in Women with Subclinical Hypothyroidism Treated with L-Thyroxine

Maria Adamarczuk-Janczyszyn1,A,B,C,D,F, Aleksandra Zdrojowy-Wełna2,C,D,F, Natalia Rogala2,D,E,F, Katarzyna Zatońska3,D,E,F, Grażyna Bednarek-Tupikowska2,A,C,E,F

1 Endocrinological Outpatient Clinic, Bolesławiec, Poland

2 Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Isotope Therapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland

3 Department of Social Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland

Abstract

Background. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common endocrine disorder, probably increasing cardiovascular (CV) risk. However, the relation between SCH and atherosclerosis risk factors remains unclear.
Objectives. The aim of the study was to evaluate selected atherosclerosis risk factors in women with SCH in comparison to a group of healthy women and women with overt hypothyroidism, as well as to investigate the influence of L-thyroxine replacement on those risk factors.
Material and Methods. The study group consisted of 187 obese women aged between 50 and 70 years: 100 women with SCH, 45 women with overt hypothyroidism and 42 women with TSH level in reference ranges. Anthropometric parameters were evaluated. Laboratory tests included thyroid hormones concentrations, lipid profile with apolipoproteins, CRP, homocysteine. Atherosclerotic indexes were calculated: LDL C/HDL C ratio, apoA1/apoB ratio and Castelli risk index. Women with hypothyroidism were given L-thyroxine treatment and after 6 months in euthyroidism the evaluation was repeated.
Results. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations as well as LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and Castelli index were higher in SCH than in controls and decreased after L-thyroxin substitution. All of the calculated atherosclerosis indexes showed significant positive correlations with TSH concentration in SCH group. Also in this group the systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly after treatment.
Conclusion. Dyslipidemia in obese SCH women is not severe, but if untreated for many years, it may lead to atherosclerosis. Substitution therapy improves the lipid profile, changing the relations between protective and proatherogenic fractions of serum lipids, and optimises blood pressure.

Key words

risk factors, atherosclerosis, subclinical hypothyroidism, cardiovascular disease, L-thyroxine treatment

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