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[Frequency of hypothyroidism in a population of hyperlipidemic subjects]
E Bruckert1, J L De Gennes, F Dairou
1Service d'Endocrinologie et Métabolisme, Groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris.
Insights
Screening for hypothyroidism is crucial in hyperlipidemic patients. A study found 12.56% of patients had high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, indicating a need for thyroid function tests.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Cardiovascular Health
Context:
- Hypothyroidism is a known cause of hypercholesterolemia.
- Hyperlipidemia is prevalent, and thyroid status is often unknown in affected patients.
- A prospective study was conducted at La Pitié Hospital, Paris, to assess metabolic and cardiovascular health.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the frequency of hypothyroidism in hyperlipidemic patients.
- To determine the prevalence of elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in this population.
- To analyze lipid parameters in relation to thyroid function.
Summary:
- The study involved 1210 hyperlipidemic patients referred for metabolic and cardiovascular assessment.
- A significant proportion (12.56%) exhibited high TSH levels, exceeding rates in non-lipid-selected populations.
- Overt hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 16 patients; hypertriglyceridemia was common, but hyper-HDL-emia was not consistently observed.
Impact:
- Highlights the importance of screening for hypothyroidism in hyperlipidemic individuals.
- Suggests TSH measurement is a valuable diagnostic tool for this patient group.
- Emphasizes particular attention to women over 50 with hyperlipidemia for thyroid screening.
Abstract:
Hypothyroidism is a classical cause of hypercholesterolaemia. As we sometimes met patients with hyperlipidaemia whose thyroid state was unknown, we carried out a prospective study aimed at evaluating the frequency of hypothyroidism in a population of 1210 hyperlipidemic patients who were referred to our out-patient clinic at the La Pitié Hospital, Paris, for metabolic and cardiovascular assessment. The proportion of subjects with high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels was 12, 56 percent, which is distinctly higher than the figures reported in previous studies in patients who were not selected for lipid abnormalities. Among those with high TSH levels, 16 had overt hypothyroidism with a low free T4 level. Analysis of lipid parameters showed that hypertriglycidaemia was frequent and did not confirm the hyperHDLaemia classically observed in hypothyroidic populations. We conclude that screening for hypothyroidism by measuring TSH values is of particular importance in patients with hyperlipidaemia, especially in the group of women over 50 years of age.