Changes of lipid spectrum in hypothyroid patients

Abstract

Introduction: Statistical data confirm a continuous growth of the incidence and morbidity of the pathology of thyroid gland, both at the international and national levels. The thyroid hormones play an important role in the regulation of physiological and metabolic processes. Their deficiency has a negative impact on the lipid spectrum. Hypothyroidism is considered to be the main cause of secondary dyslipidemia. Aim: Evaluation of the changes of lipid spectrum in hypothyroid patients. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 113 patients with primary hypothyroidism with TSH>4,05 mlU/1. The evaluation of lipid spectrum indices was performed in the morning after a 12-h fast through blood biochemical test. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-chol, LDL-chol were studied. Moreover, the statistical correlation analysis between thyroid hormone levels and metabolic indices was assessed. Results: The execution of biochemical examination determined the following average values: cholesterol 6,90±2,05 mmol/1, triglyceride 2,1 ±1,38 mmol/1, LDL-cholesterol 5,36±1,65 mmol/1. The average value of HDL-cholesterol was 1,31 ±0,41 mmol/1. The correlation analysis highlights a statistically significant inverse linear correlation between T3 and T4and cholesterol levels, and a statistically significant direct linear correlation between TSH and cholesterol. Conclusions: Hypothyroidism is associated with: hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperlipoproteinemia LDL fraction, HDL-cholesterol remains unaltered. Along with the decrease of T3 and T4 levels and the increase of TSH, the cholesterol indices rise.