SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM;

THYROID FUNCTION TEST, C- REACTIVE PROTEIN AND DYSLIPIDEMIA IN SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM PATIENTS PRESENTING AT SURGICAL WARDS OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF SINDH.

Abstract

Objectives: Analysis of thyroid function test, C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipids profile in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) as indicators of vascular atherosclerotic disease. Study Design: Cross sectional (case control) study. Place and Duration: Department of Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Hospital from January 2016 to July 2017. Materials and Methods: Subjects for this study were selected by inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sampling technique was non-probability purposive sampling. A case of SCH was defined as Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) > 6.2 (μIU /ml) with normal T₄ and T₃ free levels. 5 ml venous blood was collected from peripheral vein. Blood was centrifuged to extract sera for the detection of serum TSH, T₄ and T₃, and CRP. 12 hours fasting was mandatory for blood lipid detection. Data was analyzed on software SPSS 22.0 (P-value ≤0.05) at 95% confidence interval (P-value ≤0.05). Results: Cases showed high TC, TAG and LDLc with low HDLc compared to controls (P<0.05). Serum TSH was elevated in cases compared to controls (P=0.0001). Serum CRP in controls was noted as 2.75±1.12 ng/ml compared to 9.41±1.58 ng/ml in cases (P=0.0001). Pearson`s correlation shows serum CRP was negative correlated with serum T₃ (r= -0.180, P=0.074), and serum T₄ (r= -0.2250, P=0.025), but positive correlated with serum TSH (r= 0.626, P=0.0001). Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroid is associated with dyslipidemia and raised C-reactive protein and both may be interpreted as indicators of vascular atherosclerotic disease.