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. 2024 Jul 26;16(7):e65433.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.65433. eCollection 2024 Jul.

Impact of Subclinical Hypothyroidism on Lipid Profile in Jeddah: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Mahmoud A Alzahrani  1 , Fatemah S Baqar  1 , Basil A Alzahrani  1 , Ziyad A Badri  1 , Rayan Alshamrani  2 , Jamal Aljuhani  1
Affiliations

Impact of Subclinical Hypothyroidism on Lipid Profile in Jeddah: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Mahmoud A Alzahrani et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) have a high serum concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), whereas their serum-free thyroxine concentrations are normal. Lipid metabolism is regulated in large part by thyroid hormones. It could be connected to a changed lipid profile. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between SCH and alterations in the lipid profile. Methodology Data from 99 patients with SCH and 109 euthyroid cases were collected from King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 2016 to 2022. Patients older than 18 years were included in the study. The groups were matched in terms of gender, age, and body mass index. SCH was defined as a TSH value of 4.5 to 10 mIU/L, and normal T4 as 5 to 18 μg/dL. Control cases had a normal TSH ranging from 0.45 to 4.5 mIU/L. The total serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride (TG) levels in both groups were examined and the results were recorded. Results In comparison to the control group, SCH patients had greater median glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) (p = 0.001) and lower median vitamin D levels (p = 0.004) before therapy. Before therapy, SCH patients also showed considerably lower HDL levels and significantly higher LDL and TG levels (p < 0.001). Conclusions There is a substantial correlation between SCH and reduced HDL and vitamin D levels. It was linked to increased TG, LDL, and HbA1c levels. Only vitamin D and LDL were pathologically high. Treatment with levothyroxine raised total and LDL cholesterol levels. Future research should look into the affordability of treating SCH.

Keywords: hypothyroidism; lipids; low-density lipoprotein (ldl); subclinical; subclinical hypothyroidism; thyroid.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Review Board, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center issued approval NRJ23J/228/09. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Distribution of dyslipidemia in the subclinical hypothyroidism and control groups.
The affected group is shown in red, and the control group is shown in green. LDL = low-density lipoprotein; HDL = high-density lipoprotein
Figure 2
Figure 2. Median of vitamin D-25 and HbA1C levels in the subclinical hypothyroidism and control groups.
The affected group is shown in red, and the control group is shown in green. HbA1C = glycated hemoglobin
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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