Subclinical hypothyroidism in patients attending GMC hospital and its association with lipid disorders - a preliminary study

ABSTRACT

Subclinical hypothyroidism is a state characterized by mild elevations in Thyroid Stimulating Hormone [TSH] in patients without known thyroid disease. Clinical importance and therapy for subclinical hypothyroidism are subjects of both debate and research. To study the lipid disorders in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism referred from the Department of Internal Medicine, GMC Hospital and Research Centre, Ajman, UAE. Subjects referred to the laboratory for thyroid profiles between January and December 2009 were divided into three groups; Euthyroid [EUT], Subclinical Hypothyroid [SCH] and Overt Hypothyroid [OVH] based on TSH values 4 /= 10 mIU/ mL respectively. patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia or on treatment for thyroid disorders were excluded. Serum lipid profiles of the subjects were investigated. PASW 18 software was used for analysis. One way ANOVA and Duncan multiple comparison tests were used to find the significance. of the 1234 subjects studied, 953 were females [77%] and 281 males [23%]. Mean age for the female subjects was 33+/- 10 years and for the male subjects 38 +/- 11 years. 95.5% were in the 19-59 year age group. 77 subjects [6.2%] were found to be SCH. Mean +/- SD total Cholesterol values were 223 +/- 33, 225 +/- 28, 253 +/- 35, LDL cholesterol values were 120 +/- 22, 130 +/- 21, 123 +/- 17 and Triglyceride levels were 99 +/- 21, 90 +/- 14, 130 +/- 45 mg/dl in the EUT, SCH and the OVH groups respectively. While there was no significant difference between the EUT and SCH group in the total Cholesterol and Triglyceride values, they were significantly different from the OVH group [p<0.05]. There were no differences in LDL cholesterol between the groups or lipid parameters between the genders. 6.2% of the patients referred were found to be SCH. There were no significant differences between the lipid parameters of EUT and SCH patients. OVH patients showed significantly higher total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood