Related Experiment Videos
Decrease in serum levels of thyroid hormone in patients with coronary heart disease
Insights
This study found that coronary heart disease (CHD) patients have reduced thyroid function and lower HDL cholesterol. However, subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity were not directly linked to CHD development in this cohort.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Thyroidology
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
- Thyroid dysfunction, including subclinical hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disease, is increasingly recognized for its potential systemic effects.
- The relationship between thyroid function and CHD remains an area of active investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and/or autoimmune thyroid disease and the presence of coronary heart disease (CHD).
- To compare thyroid function, thyroid autoantibodies, and serum lipid profiles in patients with CHD versus healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 97 patients with CHD (diagnosed via coronary angiography) and 103 healthy controls.
- Measurements included thyroid function tests (TSH, FT3, FT4), thyroid autoantibodies, and serum lipid concentrations (including HDL-C).
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare parameters between groups, with subgroup analyses for gender and exclusion of comorbidities like diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT).
Main Results:
- Patients with CHD demonstrated significantly lower serum free T3 (FT3) and free T4 (FT4) levels, and higher TSH levels, indicating reduced thyroid function compared to controls.
- Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly lower in the CHD group, irrespective of gender.
- The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid autoantibodies was similar between CHD patients and controls. No difference in serum lipid levels was observed between CHD patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and those with normal thyroid function.
Conclusions:
- While CHD patients exhibit impaired thyroid function and lower HDL-C levels, subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity do not appear to be directly associated with the development of CHD in this study population.
- Lower thyroid hormone levels and reduced HDL-C are significant findings in CHD patients, warranting further investigation.
- The study suggests that gender-specific factors may influence the interplay between thyroid function, lipids, and CHD.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and/or autoimmune thyroid disease and coronary heart disease (CHD). Ninety seven patients diagnosed as having CHD by a coronary angiography (CHD group) and 103 healthy subjects matched for age, sex and body mass index (control group) were included in the study. Thyroid function, thyroid autoantibodies and serum lipid concentrations were measured in the CHD and control groups. The CHD group exhibited significantly decreased serum free T3 (FT3) and free T4 (FT4) levels, and significantly increased serum TSH levels as compared with the control group, indicating a significant decrease in thyroid function in the CHD patients. Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly decreased in the CHD group. The incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid autoantibodies was similar in both two groups. These observations were also true of women even after those who had diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT) and a smoking habit were excluded. This was not the case, however, in men without DM, HT, or a smoking habit. Patients with CHD had significantly lower serum levels of HDL-C than the control subjects, regardless of gender (P < 0.01). In the group with CHD, there was no difference between the serum lipid levels in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and those with normal thyroid function. Female patients with CHD had significantly lower serum levels of thyroid hormone and HDL-C, but their subclinical hypothyroidism or thyroid autoimmunity did not seem to be related to the development of CHD.