A study of the cardiac risk factors emerging out of subclinical hypothyroidism

Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as a serum TSH level above the upper limit of normal with normal levels of serum free thyroxine. It is a common thyroid disorder affecting 3-15% of the adult population.

To study the cardiovascular profile of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, and to establish cardiac risk factors emerging out of subclinical hypothyroidism.

Adult patients attending General Medicine department and diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism over a period of 2 months were enrolled. History and general examination was done. Fasting lipid profile, hsCRP, electrocardiography and echocardiography were done.

The mean age was 35.1 (SD = 10.26). Most common age group affected is 20-30 years. There are about 12% of the enrolled patients were overweight (OW), and 24% were obese (OB). 16% had stage 1 hypertension, and 4% had stage 2 hypertension. 92% of the patients had dyslipidemia. 64% patients had raised LDL. 44% of the patients had raised hsCRP levels. 44% patients showed abnormal findings and the most common abnormality was found to be grade 1 left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Subclinical hypothyroidism is seen to be associated with a rise in hsCRP independent of other cardiac risk factors. A large number of patients have dyslipidemia which is a significant cardiac risk factor. Early Diagnosis and treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism will have possible cardioprotective advantages.