Background: Subclinical thyroid disease is more common in healthy middle-aged and older adults and it is being diagnosed with abnormal levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroxine (T4) or triiodothyronine (T3). Metabolic syndrome has been linked to subclinical thyroid disease in adults due to pathophysiology of thyroid function on fat and glucose metabolism. Recent studies indicated that patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating the levels of serum hs-CRP in South Indian population with subclinical thyroid disease.
Materials and Methods: The study groups included 75 participants (25 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, 25 patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism, and 25 healthy controls) aged between 30 and 60 years. Fasting serum glucose, lipid profile was analyzed by semi auto analyzer and the thyroid profile by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. The hs-CRP levels were measured by latex immunoturbidimetry.
Results: The serum hs-CRP levels (mg/L) significantly increased in subclinical hypothyroidism (1.3 ± 0.56), elevated but nonsignificant in subclinical hyperthyroidism (0.98 ± 0.47) on comparison with healthy controls (0.89 ± 0.27). Serum hs-CRP showed a positive correlation with TSH and body mass index. Negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose.
Conclusion: This study revealed a good relationship between subclinical thyroid disease and metabolic syndrome. hs-CRP is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Addition of hs-CRP along with routine lipid profile in patients with thyroid dysfunction will improve global risk prediction for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases.
Key words: Subclinical Thyroid Disease; Metabolic Syndrome; Cardiovascular Diseases; High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein
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