Epicardial Adipose Tissue Increased in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether or not patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) have increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). Subjects and Methods: Sixty-one patients with newly diagnosed SH and without any known cardiovascular disease were enrolled. Twenty-four subjects matched for age, gender and body mass index without any thyroid dysfunctions were included as a control group. The EAT was measured by echocardiography and thyroid functions were assessed by routine blood examination. Results: Patients with SH had higher EAT values than control subjects (3.6 ± 0.9 vs. 2.8 ± 1.4, p = 0.005). Also, SH patients with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) ≥10 mU/l had higher EAT than those with SH with TSH <10 mU/l and control subjects (p = 0.013). In addition, while there was significant correlation between EAT and TSH (r = 0.31, p = 0.014) in patients with SH, there was no significant relation between EAT and TSH in normal subjects (r = 0.09, p = 0.64). Conclusions: There was a higher level of EAT in patients with SH compared with normal subjects and a significant correlation between EAT and TSH was found.

Thickening of the epicardial adipose tissue can be alleviated by thyroid hormone replacement therapy in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism

“…This observation is in line with the majority of previous studies of EAT thickness in SCH [10][11][12][13]. These data suggest that increased EAT thickness in SCH is not just an observational coincidence, but mostly related the effects of thyroid hormones on the heart and adipose tissue [11][12][13].…”

“…The reports concerning EAT thickness in patients with SCH are somewhat conflicting: while EAT thickness was pre-viously reported to be increased in patients with SCH when compared to euthyroid controls [11][12][13], a recent study did not find any such difference, and EAT thickness was not associated with cardiovascular risk in SCH patients [14].…”

Evaluation of epicardial fat tissue thickness in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis

“…Because atherosclerosis starts years before clinical cardiovascular disease, markers of early atherosclerosis such as CIMT and EFT thickness are important for instigating precautionary measures. In a recent study, increased EFT thickness was shown in patients with SCH . However, there are no reports on the relationship between EFT and CIMT in HT patients with SCH or OH.…”

“…In a recent study, increased EFT thickness was shown in patients with SCH. 16 However, there are no reports on the relationship between EFT and CIMT in HT patients with SCH or OH. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to evaluate EFT and the possible relationship between EFT thickness and CIMT in overt and subclinical hypothyroidism patients with HT.…”

Changes in the before and after thyroxine treatment levels of adipose tissue, leptin, and resistin in subclinical hypothyroid patients

“…Another study reported that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is increased among SH patients [22]. Another study analyzed fatty tissue changes after treatment in SH patients and evaluated fatty tissues throughout the entire body [23].…”