Subclinical hypothyroidism and coronary risk factors in women above 55 years

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are several reports on the association between hypothyroidism and coronary heart disease. But, it is not convincing whether the subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with the coronary heart disease or not. We have attempted to investigate the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and the difference of Framingham risk score between subclinical hypothyroidism and normal control subjects in women above 55 years old, who have higher prevalence in subclinical hypothyroidism. METHODS: This study involved the subjects above age 55, who visited the health promotion center in a university hospital from 1995 to 2000. Subclinical hypothyroidism was defined as a TSH level greater than 4.1 mu1U/7L in the presence of a normal T3 (87-184 mug/dL) and T4 (6.6-13.1 mug/dL) level. We measured thyroid function test (TSH, T3, T4) and the coronary risk factors (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting glucose, uric acid, C-reactive protein, and body mass index) . Also, we calculated the Framingham risk score from their sum. RESULTS: There were no significant differences of systolic/diastolic blood pressure, fasting g1ucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, C -reactive protein body mass index and Framingham risk score in subclinical hypothyroidism patients and normal control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences between the subclinical hypothyroidism patients and normal control subjects with coronary risk assessment in women above 56-years -old.