Endocrine Abstracts

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of TSH and free thyroxin (fT₄) hormones on carotid intima media thickness (cIMT).

Material and methods: Sixty nine consecutive patients who attended to the Department of University Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic disorders with newly diagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism (ScH) were evaluated for mean and maximal cIMT. ScH were defined as elevated TSH with normal fT₄ serum values.

Results: Mean TSH, fT₄, cIMT, and max cIMT were: 7.9±3.6 mU/l, 14.5±2.8 pmol/l, 0.61±0.1 mm, and 0.65±0.1 mm, respectively. Statistically significant positive correlation were evaluated between TSH value and mean and max cIMT (r=0.28, and r=0.29, respectively, P<0.05). While fT₄ statistically significant negative correlated with mean and max cIMT (r=−0.35, and r=−0.33, respectively, P<0.01).

Conclusion: Thyroid hormone values are correlated with carotid intima media thickness in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.

Key words: carotid intima media thickness, thyroid-stimulating hormone, subclinical hypothyroidism.