Inflammation and oxidative stress in hypothyroids: Additive effects on cardiovascular risk.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the major complications of hypothyroidism which is one of the most common endocrine disorders in India. In the present study, we have analyzed the link among oxidative stress, C reactive protein which is an inflammatory marker and the cardiovascular lipid risk factors in hypothyroid patients which has not been analyzed before. Sixty seven untreated hypothyroid patients were recruited consecutively for the study. Their ultrasensitive C reactive protein level and oxidative stress profile were measured apart from various lipid risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Ultra sensitive C reactive protein was significantly correlated with increased lipid risk factors of cardiovascular disease, thyroid stimulating hormone level and indices of oxidative stress in these patients. Low grade inflammation in hypothyroidism plausibly acts as the link between higher oxidative stress and the underlying cardiovascular risk among hypothyroid patients.