Abstract
The association of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) with increased cardiovascular
risk is controversial when thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration is<10 mIU/l,
as well as its association with a higher coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in individuals
with low cardiovascular risk. This study evaluated coronary artery disease (CAD) by
CACS in asymptomatic, low-cardiovascular risk women with SCH and TSH>7 mIU/l and≤10 mIU/l
untreated for 5 years after diagnosis. The CACS was obtained for two groups of women
with low cardiovascular risk. Group A consisted of 32 women with mild SCH (TSH>7 mIU/l
and≤10 mIU/l) who remained untreated for 5 years, and group B consisted of 32 euthyroid
women matched for age and body mass index to group A. The CACS ranged from 0 to 350
(median 0, 25–75% interval: 0–10) in group A and from 0 to 280 (median 0, 25–75% interval:
0–0) in group B. Scores>0 and≥10 were significantly more frequent in group A (40.6
vs. 12.5% and 25 vs. 3.1%, respectively). A CACS≥100 was also more frequent in group
A (18.75 vs. 3.1%), but the difference was not significant (p=0.1). The results of
the study suggest that long-term SCH with TSH>7 mIU/l and ≤ 10 mIU/l is associated
with a higher risk of CAD in individuals≤65 years, even in those with low cardiovascular
risk.
Key words
subclinical hypothyroidism - TSH≤10 mIU/l - coronary artery disease - coronary artery
calcium score
