The Effect of Levothyroxine on Arterial Stiffness and Lipid Profile in Patients With Subclinical Hypothyroidism

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2005-09-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

We evaluated the effect of levothyroxine in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) on arterial stiffness, lipid profile and inflammation. Thirty-four patients with SCH were included. Patients were treated with levothyroxine for 7 months. Arterial stiffness was evaluated by Augmentation index (AIx). After accomplishing euthyroidism, the AIx decreased from 8.3±17.2 to 6.5±14.3(P<0.01) and AIx percentage decreased from36.2 11.5 ± to 9.1±33.2 (P =0.03). Systolic blood pressure decreased from 20±134.7 to mmHg 13.7±127.6 (P<0.01). No significant improvement was found in other parameters. In patients whose AIx's decreased, LDL-cholesterol levels decreased by 37.1±-15.5 mg/dl compared to the patients whose AIx's didn't decrease and LDL-cholesterol increased by 57.4±24.1 mg/dl (P=0.057). We concluded that in patients suffering from SCH, treatment with levothyroxine had a significant beneficial effect on arterial stiffness and systolic blood pressure and no effect on lipid profile or inflammation.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Laboratory evidence of subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH levels 4-25 mU/L and normal T4 values) in at least two following tests (one month apart from each other)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Recent (less than 6 months) myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular event or angiography with stent placement

• Serious infection in the month before recruitment

• Any use of contrast media in the last 6 months

• Loss of more than 5% of body weight during the last 6 months

• Cardiac arrhythmias

• Ejection fraction of less than 40%

• Active malignant diseases

• Previous thyroid disease and

• Pregnancy.