Objective: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common condition associated with increased cardiovascular risk. A standard treatment is yet to be established, as there is no consensus on the TSH cut-off values which should be used as indicators. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess cardiovascular risk in patients with SCH and to differentiate it according to TSH levels.
Design: This was an observational study conducted in an academic medical centre.
Patients: The study population consisted of 95 middle-aged women recently diagnosed with SCH and 65 euthyroid controls.
Measurements: We measured anthropometric parameters, lipid cardiovascular risk markers and lipoprotein subclasses of HDL and LDL.
Results: Patients with SCH exhibited a significant increase in triglycerides and atherogenic index of plasma and a significant reduction in HDL-cholesterol with respect to the control group after adjusted by age and BMI. A similar lipid profile was observed in both SCH groups. However, patients with TSH levels higher than 10 mIU/l showed a significant reduction in LDL particle size, which was associated with a higher prevalence of atherogenic pattern B.
Conclusions: Our findings indicate that cardiovascular risk is affected in patients with TSH levels over 10 mIU/l, who have a lipid profile characteristic of atherogenic dyslipidemia.
© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.