Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Cardiovascular Disease.
10.3803/EnM.2015.30.3.246
- Author:
Sunghwan SUH
1
;
Duk Kyu KIM
Author Information
1. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Dong-A Medical Center, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea. dkkim@dau.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Subclinical hypothyroidism;
Cardiovascular diseases
- MeSH:
Atherosclerosis;
Blood Pressure;
Cardiovascular Diseases*;
Heart;
Heart Failure;
Hypothyroidism*;
Mortality;
Reference Values;
Risk Assessment;
Risk Factors;
Thyroid Hormones;
Thyrotropin;
Thyroxine
- From:Endocrinology and Metabolism
2015;30(3):246-251
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common disorder that is characterized by elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in conjunction with free thyroxine concentrations within the normal reference range. Thyroid hormones are known to affect the heart and vasculature and, as a result, the impact of SCH on the cardiovascular (CV) system has recently become an important topic of research. Strong evidence points to a link between SCH and CV risk factors such as alterations in blood pressure, lipid levels, and atherosclerosis. Additionally, accumulating evidence indicates that SCH is associated with metabolic syndrome and heart failure. The present review proposes that SCH may be a potentially modifiable risk factor of CV disease and mortality. However, large-scale clinical trials with appropriate power investigating the risks and benefits of SCH treatment are required to determine whether these benefits can be achieved with levothyroxine therapy.
