Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Turbidimetry on Human Washed Platelets: The Effect of the Pannexin1-inhibitor Brilliant Blue FCF on Collagen-induced Aggregation
09:13

Turbidimetry on Human Washed Platelets: The Effect of the Pannexin1-inhibitor Brilliant Blue FCF on Collagen-induced Aggregation

Published on: April 6, 2017

The adhesiveness of human blood platelets and thyroid function

A J Hellem, E Segaard, J H Solem

    Acta Medica Scandinavica
    |January 1, 1975
    PubMed

    Insights

    Hypothyroidism is linked to coronary artery disease, yet heart attacks are rare in these patients. This study suggests low platelet adhesiveness in hypothyroidism may protect against heart attacks, normalizing with treatment.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Endocrinology
    • Hematology

    Background:

    • Hypothyroidism is associated with severe coronary atherosclerosis.
    • Despite this, the incidence of angina pectoris and myocardial infarction is paradoxically low in untreated hypothyroidism.
    • Thrombus formation is a key event in myocardial infarction, suggesting platelet function may be altered.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the role of platelet adhesiveness in the paradoxical rarity of myocardial infarction in hypothyroidism.
    • To evaluate changes in platelet adhesiveness before and after treatment in hypothyroid and thyrotoxic patients.

    Main Methods:

    • Platelet adhesiveness was measured in 9 hypothyroid and 16 thyrotoxic patients.
    • Measurements were taken before and after thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

    Main Results:

    • Thyrotoxicosis showed significantly increased platelet adhesiveness, which normalized post-treatment.
    • Hypothyroidism exhibited abnormally low platelet adhesiveness, increasing to normal levels after thyroid hormone replacement.

    Conclusions:

    • Altered platelet adhesiveness may explain the low incidence of myocardial infarction in hypothyroidism.
    • Thyroid hormone replacement normalizes platelet adhesiveness in both hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis.
    • Platelet function changes might be a crucial factor in myocardial infarction risk for patients with hypothyroidism and coronary artery disease.

    More Related Videos

    Laminar Flow-based Assays to Investigate Leukocyte Recruitment on Cultured Vascular Cells and Adherent Platelets08:50

    Laminar Flow-based Assays to Investigate Leukocyte Recruitment on Cultured Vascular Cells and Adherent Platelets

    Published on: April 9, 2018

    An In Vitro Assay to Study Platelet Migration Using RGD-Functionalized Avidin-Biotin Tethers05:43

    An In Vitro Assay to Study Platelet Migration Using RGD-Functionalized Avidin-Biotin Tethers

    Published on: November 8, 2024

    Related Concept Videos

    Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones01:20

    Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

    Low blood levels of the thyroid hormones — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — signal the hypothalamus to release the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then reaches the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) into the bloodstream.
    Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The iodine is then...
    Functions of Thyroid Hormones01:18

    Functions of Thyroid Hormones

    The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
    TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
    Structure and Function of Platelets01:18

    Structure and Function of Platelets

    The cell fragments known as platelets are disc-shaped, with an average diameter of about 3 μm and a thickness of roughly 1 μm. They play a crucial role in the body's vascular clotting system, which also involves plasma proteins, blood cells, and blood vessel tissues.
    Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
    Formation of the Platelet Plug01:22

    Formation of the Platelet Plug

    The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
    As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
    Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology01:27

    Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology

    Hyperthyroidism is a hypermetabolic state caused by elevated levels of thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). It results from dysregulation at the thyroid, pituitary, or immune system level and affects multiple organ systems.PathophysiologyThe most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies, specifically thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAb), a subtype of TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb), bind to and activate TSH receptors...
    Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology01:24

    Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology

    Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) that activate TSH receptors, leading to excessive synthesis and release of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and resulting in hyperthyroidism.Among all causes of hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is the most common and can happen at any age, though it is more frequent in women. It produces a hypermetabolic state with features such as weight loss, tachycardia, tremor, and heat...