Semin Vasc Med 2004; 4(2): 145-151
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-835372
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001 USA.

Hypothyroidism and Cardiovascular Disease: Role of New Risk Factors and Coagulation Parameters

Christel Jublanc1 , Eric Bruckert1
  • 1Service d'Endocrinologie-Métabolisme, Hôpital Pitié Salpétriêre, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
11 October 2004 (online)

Preview

Hypothyroidism is a common condition and recent epidemiological studies demonstrated that up to 10 percent of subjects may display its subclinical form. Despite the well-known relationship between overt hypothyroidism and cardiovascular disease, few studies demonstrating such a link are available. However, the relationship between hypothyroidism and a variety of cardiovascular risk factors is now well established.

Recent data on new cardiovascular risk factors that were shown to be associated with hypotyroidism are reviewed. Haemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters are disturbed differently according to the stage of hypothyroidism. C-reactive protein levels are higher in patients with overt and subclinical hypotyroidism compared to euthyroid patients. In contrast, elevation of homocysteine values was demonstrated only in overt hypothyroidism. Although no randomized controlled trial evaluated the potential benefits of levothyroxine substitution on the risk to suffer major coronary events in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, there is growing evidence that this disorder is mainly characterized by a high risk of cardiovascular disease.

REFERENCES

Christel Jublanc

Service d'Endocrinologie-Métabolisme, Hôpital Pitié Salpétriêre

Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 83, boulevard de l'Hôpital

75013 Paris, France