Is Cardiovascular Risk Associated with Subclinical Hypothyroidism: Role of C Reactive Protein and Interleukin-6

Abstract

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism causes development of cardiovascular risk is not very well defined due to contra dictory findings over the years. Role of inflammatory markers in Subclinical hypothyroidism is not very well studied in the past. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assessment of the role of interleukin-6 and C reactive protein in subclinical hypothyroidism patients having TSH <10µIU/ml. Material and Method: Total 90 young adult males from 20-40 years age group were recruited for the study in which 60 males were with recently diagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism and remaining 30 males were healthy controls. Subclinical hypothyroidism was diagnosed by measuring TSH and FT4, which were estimated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and High Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol were estimated by spectrophotometric method. Friedewald formula was used for the estimation of Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol. Lipoprotein ratios (total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol/ HDL-cholesterol) were also estimated. C reactive protein and interleukin-6 were also estimated by ELISA. Results: Significant results were obtained among the various parameters between the groups. Thyroid stimulating hormone was significantly (<0.001) different between patients and control group. In subclinical hypothyroidism patients total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol were significantly higher (<0.01). HDL cholesterol was significantly (<0.001) lower in the patient group. Lipoprotein ratios were also highly significant (<0.001) between the groups and concentrations were higher in the patient group. C reactive protein and interleukin-6 were highly significant (<0.001) between the groups. Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism patients having TSH<10µIU/ml are characterized by the atherogenic lipid profile. Increased concentration of interleukin-6 along with higher concentration of C reactive protein might be the sign of early risk of atherogenic risk progression.

Low-Grade Inflammation in Subclinical Hypothyroidism: Role of Highsensitive C-Reactive Protein

“…Elevated concentration of Hs-CRP in this study also supported this finding. Gupta et al reported the findings on SCH male patients with increased concentration CRP and other inflammatory markers and stated that SCH patients are characterized by cardiovascular abnormalities [28]. The presence of dyslipidemia in SCH patients including the elevated concentration of TC, increased TG, lower HDL-cholesterol, and abnormal LDLcholesterol along with the increased concentration of Hs-CRP can lead to the development of atherosclerosis [29].…”