Thyroid Hormone And Its Correlation With Age, Sex And Serum Lipid Levels In Hypothyroid
And Euthyroid Sylheti Populations In Bangladesh
1347-1351
Correspondence
Shakhinur Islam Mondal
Assistant Professor, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology
Department, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet
3114, Bangladesh
E-mail : shakhin2000@yahoo.com
Telephone : +880-821-713491 (Ext-411)
Fax : +880-821-725050
Background: Hypothyroidism is defined as a deficiency of the thyroid hormone and an increase in the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in patients, which has been associated with elevated levels of serum cholesterol in some populations. Sylhet has been described as the one of the wealthiest cities in Bangladesh and its population leads a life of relative luxury than in most other parts of the country. Lifestyle plays an important role in obesity, lipid profile, and thyroid profile related diseases, but no data are available regarding the thyroid status and the lipid profile in this Sylheti population. The aim of the present study was to assess whether hypothyroidism which was associated with abnormal lipid levels in the population of Sylhet, Bangladesh.
Materials and Methods: The data from adults older than 25 years, who did not previously have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism or those who were not taking thyroid replacement medication, were analyzed at the Women’s Medical College and Hospital, Sylhet. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured.
Results: In this study, it was found that hypothyroidism was more common in women (p=0.039) and in the advanced age group (p=0.038). The persons who met the criteria for hypothyroidism had higher mean cholesterol levels (209.89 vs. 191.49 mg/dl, p=0.038) and higher rates of elevated cholesterol levels (60.5% vs. 40.4%, p=0.024) than the euthyroid control group, but there were no significant differences in their LDL or HDL levels. The mean TG levels (186.04 vs. 231.47 mg/dl, p=0.013) and the rates of the elevated TG levels (50.6% vs. 68.4%) were higher in the hypothyroid group.
Conclusion: Hypothyroidism appears to be associated with abnormalities in the serum cholesterol or triglyceride levels in the Sylheti population. There might be a potential link between hypothyroidism and cardiovascular diseases such as