Emerging cardiovascular risk factors in subclinical hypothyroidism: lack of change after restoration of euthyroidism

Metabolism. 2004 Nov;53(11):1512-5. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2004.05.016.

Abstract

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is a frequent condition that may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. There is current interest in determining the effect, if any, of substitutive therapy with l-thyroxine (L-T4) on cardiovascular risk factors in SH and, particularly, on those associated with emerging cardiovacular risk, such as apolipoprotein (apo) B, lipoprotein (Lp) (a), total homocysteine (t-Hcy), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of euthyroidism restoration on these emerging risk factors in SH. Forty-two patients diagnosed with SH were consecutively recruited before treatment. These patients were treated with L-T4 for 3 to 6 months with the dose necessary to restore euthyroidism. Lp(a), fasting and postmethionine (n = 28) t-Hcy, and CRP did not change with substitutive therapy, regardless of the respective baseline values, and the decrease in apo B paralleled that of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Similarly, no treatment effect was observed on homocysteine or CRP in patients with thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (TSH) >10 mIU/L. Monitoring of emerging risk factors did not offer additional arguments for treating patients with SH and, thus, is not justified in their clinical management.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Apolipoproteins B / blood
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Female
  • Homocysteine / blood
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / blood
  • Hypothyroidism / complications*
  • Lipoprotein(a) / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / blood

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins B
  • Biomarkers
  • Lipoprotein(a)
  • Homocysteine
  • Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • C-Reactive Protein