Echocardiographic changes and alterations in lipid profile in cases of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism

Forty four patients (22 of overt hypothyroidism and 22 of subclinical hypothyroidism) and 11 controls underwent lipid profile evaluation and two dimensional echocardiography. Amongst the various parameters evaluated, mean Interventricular Septal (IVS) dimensions were significantly (p < 0.005) raised in overt hypothyroidism [IVS: end diastolic (ED) = 0.973 +/- 0.223 cm.; end systolic (ES) = 1.300 +/- 0.240 cm.] with respect to control group [IVS : ED = 0.747 +/- 0.118 cm.; ES = 1.073 +/- 0.173 cm.]. Mean Left Ventricular Posterior Wall (LVPW) thickness was also significantly (p < 0.005) raised in overt hypothyroidism [LVPW : ED = 0.944 +/- 0.200 cm.; ES = 1.350 +/- 0.243 cm.] in comparison with control group [LVPW : ED = 0.779 +/- 0.091 cm.; ES = 1.176 +/- 0.128 cm.]. Evidence of diastolic dysfunction was present in both subclinical (n = 2) and overt hypothyroidism (n = 6) while pericardial effusion was seen only in overt hypothyroidism (n = 10). Mean Serum cholesterol was significantly raised in both subclinical (192.13 +/- 47.40 mg%) (p < 0.05) and overt hypothyroidism (231.27 +/- 68.30 mg%) (p < 0.005) with respect to control group (157.63 +/- 37.69 mg%). In overt hypothyroid patients mean serum Triglyceride (235.59 +/- 137.53 mg%) (p < 0.05), LDL (126.09 +/- 54.99 mg%) (p < 0.05) and Apo-B (0.698 +/- 0.354 g/L) (p < 0.05) levels were significantly higher as compared to control group (serum triglyceride 165.45 +/- 49.15 mg%, LDL 88.72 +/- 38.75 mg%, Apo-B 0.474 +/- 0.176 g/L.