Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Atorvastatin-Treated Women with Euthyroid Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Autoimmune thyroiditis seems to be associated with increased cardiometabolic risk. Statins, the mainstay of cardiovascular risk reduction and prevention, were found to reduce thyroid antibody titers. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma markers of cardiometabolic risk in statin-treated women with thyroid autoimmunity. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We compared two matched groups of euthyroid women with hypercholesterolemia receiving atorvastatin treatment: subjects with autoimmune (Hashimoto’s) thyroiditis (group A, <i>n</i> = 29) and subjects without thyroid pathology (group B, <i>n</i> = 29). Plasma lipids, glucose homeostasis markers, as well as circulating levels of uric acid, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen, homocysteine, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured before atorvastatin treatment and 6 months later. <b><i>Results:</i></b> At entry, both groups differed in antibody titers, insulin sensitivity, and plasma levels of uric acid, hsCRP, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Atorvastatin-induced reduction in hsCRP and homocysteine, but not in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, was more pronounced in group B than in group A. Only in group B, the drug decreased uric acid and fibrinogen and increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D. In group A, atorvastatin reduced insulin responsiveness. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The obtained results indicate that euthyroid women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may benefit to a lesser degree from atorvastatin treatment than other populations of women with hypercholesterolemia.

The Effect of Metformin on Plasma Prolactin Levels in Young Women with Autoimmune Thyroiditis

“…Metformin-induced reduction in thyrotropin levels was observed in women with subclinical hypothyroidism of both autoimmune and nonautoimmune origin coexisting with polycystic ovary syndrome and did not depend on titers of thyroid antibodies [19]. However, recently, the same research group has reported that women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis were partially resistant to the cardiometabolic effects of atorvastatin [20]. Therefore, the current study was aimed at investigating whether thyroid autoimmunity modulates the impact of metformin on circulating levels of prolactin, other anterior pituitary hormones and their downstream hormones in young women with prolactin excess.…”

Autoimmune Thyroiditis Attenuates Cardiometabolic Effects of Cabergoline in Young Women With Hyperprolactinemia

“…Women with hypercholesterolemia with Hashimoto thyroiditis have recently been found resistant to cardiometabolic effects of atorvastatin. 20 The paucity of data encouraged us to investigate whether autoimmune thyroiditis determines cardiometabolic effects of cabergoline in young women with hyperprolactinemia.…”

“…Prolactin excess and autoimmune thyroiditis may coexist with each other, particularly in women of reproductive age, and such patients may be more susceptible to the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders than individuals with isolated hyperprolactinemia or isolated autoimmune thyroid disease. Women with hypercholesterolemia with Hashimoto thyroiditis have recently been found resistant to cardiometabolic effects of atorvastatin 20 . The paucity of data encouraged us to investigate whether autoimmune thyroiditis determines cardiometabolic effects of cabergoline in young women with hyperprolactinemia.…”