Hypothyroidism and its association with changes in the lipid profile

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid gland dysfunction is presented as overt or subclinical hypothy­roidism and has repercussions on patient’s lipid profile. Aims: To present patients lipid status with hypothyroidism versus a control group and to determine an association of thyroid status elements with lipid parameters. Material and methods: This case-controlled retrospective study included a sample of 82 patients, examined group (N=56), who were divided into two subgroups according to the established TSH level (ТЅН<4ulU/ml and ТЅН>4ulU/ml) and a control group (ТЅН<4ulU/ml) (N=26). We analyzed the parameters of the thyroid function (TSH, FT4, FT3, anti-TPO) and se­lec­ted lipid status parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol). Results: The comparative analysis between the examined and the control group of patients, as well as between the two subgroups, found no significant difference in the lipid pa­ra­meter levels in relation to selected parameters of the lipid status. The performed correlation among the elements of the lipid status with the thyroid parameters determined a significant linear negative weak correlation between the fT4 and cholesterol, and between fT4 and triglycerides. Conclusion: These three examined groups did not differ in lipid status, although dyslipidemia is an expected finding in untreated hypothyroidism. The statin therapy influenced on reduction of lipid fraction values ​​in all groups. Therefore, in newly diagnosed patients with hypothyroidism and dyslipidemia, before starting statin therapy, levothyroxine is recommended to be initially administered. Even under conditions of concomitant use of statins, cholesterol and triglyceride levels showed a negative correlation with fT4 and anti-TPO.