Thyroid dysfunction and its effect in serum lipids.

Thyroid hormones are involved in regulation of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism; therefore, thyroid dysfunctions induce significant change in lipid levels. This study was conducted to study the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and to observe the relationship between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in lipid profile.The study group comprised of 567 patients. 100 subjects with normal thyroid profile and no history of any chronic diseases were taken as control group. Serum free triiodothyroxine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4),thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and Triglycerides were estimated in these patients and the results were analyzed using SPSS 11.5.Out of 567 sera tested, 146 (25.75%) had thyroid dysfunction. Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol was significantly raised in hypothyroidism. However, there was no significant association among lipid levels in hyperthyroid and control group.Lipid profile was significantly raised in hypothyroid patients thereby, indicating the need for monitoring of lipid levels in patients with thyroid dysfunction to avoid the risk of cardiovascular diseases.