A study on dyslipidaemia in subclinical hypothyroidism

Subclinical hypothyroidism is characterised by elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in association with normal free thyroid hormones. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of serum lipid alterations in patients with stable subclinical hypothyroidism in comparison to age- as well as sex-matched euthyroid group and also subgroup analysis between them in regard to age of presentation, sex, antithyroperoxidase (anti TPO) positivity, and TSH value. In this study, 100 patients of SCH were recruited, age ranged 17-68 years, majority (78%) being females, presenting mainly with non-specific symptoms and compared with 52 euthyroid control regarding lipid parameters. Of the subclinical hypothyroidism patients, only 10% had goitre and anti TPO was positive in 52% cases. Serum lipoprotein (a) above the age of 20 years, and total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density liporpotein cholesterol in the age group of 40-50 years were significantly elevated. In addition, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in anti TPO positive cases and serum triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in anti TPO negative patients showed statistically significant higher levels. In males only lipoprotein (a), but in females total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and liproprotein (a)--all were significantly elevated.     

~(131)碘治疗弥漫性甲状腺功能亢进远期并发甲状腺功能减退的临床及实验室观察

本文总结我院64例~(131)碘治疗弥漫性甲亢的随访结果,男性17例,女性47例,年龄从31～63岁。随访项目包括TT_4、TT_3、TSH、TRH兴奋试验、MCA、TGA、血清胆固醇、甘油三酯及ECG等。甲减的诊断及分型按Evered标准加以修改。远期甲减发病率:2～5年随访为25％,6～10年随访为50％,11～15年随访为58.8％,总的发病率为52.1％。甲减组和非甲减组甲状腺重量及接受~(131)碘的毫居里数未见统计差别;亚临床型甲减及轻型甲减之间除TT_3外,TT_4,TSH均值未见有意义差别。最后,作者就甲减的发病率、亚临床甲减的诊断和治疗、~(131)碘治疗弥漫性甲亢发生甲减的机理进行了讨论。     

Plasma CRP, apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B and Lpa levels according to thyroid function status

BACKGROUND: Altered lipid profile is a well-known manifestation of thyroid dysfunction. Recently, serum Lp(a) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have emerged as new cardiovascular risk factors, but studies on changes of these markers with respect to thyroid function status have produced variable results. To better understand the effects of thyroid dysfunction on the development of atherosclerosis, we investigated plasma CRP and lipid profiles such as apoA1, apoB, and Lp(a) in cases with differing severities of thyroid dysfunction. METHODS: Fifty four patients with hyperthyroidism, 35 patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism, 33 patients with overt hypothyroidism, 190 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were evaluated. Serum high sensitivity (hs)-CRP and Lp(a) were measured by immunonephelometry. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in serum hs-CRP, Lp(a), HDL-C or ApoA1 in different thyroid function groups. Serum total cholesterol and LDL-C levels were significantly lower in cases of hyperthyroidism than in cases of overt hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism or subclinical hyperthyroidism, or in healthy control subjects (p <0.01). Serum triglyceride levels were higher in overt hypothyroidism than in hyperthyroidism or healthy controls (p <0.05). Serum apoB levels were significantly lower in hyperthyroidism than in overt hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism or in healthy control subjects (p <0.01). These differences were consistently significant after adjustment for age and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Serum CRP and Lp(a) levels, risk factors for atherosclerosis, were not found to be significantly affected by the degree of thyroid dysfunction. Increased risk of atherosclerosis in hypothyroidism does not appear to be associated with non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as serum CRP, Lp(a) or apoA1 levels.     

原发性甲状腺功能减退症77例临床分析

目的探讨原发性甲状腺功能减退症的临床特点。方法回顾性分析海南医学院附属医院住院诊断的77例原发性甲状腺功能减退症的临床资料。结果本研究原发性甲状腺功能减退症的病因主要有131I治疗、甲状腺手术和慢性自身免疫性甲状腺炎。贫血32例（41.6%）。69例行血脂检查,总胆固醇升高26例（37.7%）,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇升高34例（49.3%）,甘油三酯升高14例（20.3%）,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇升高27例（39.1%）,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇降低9例（13.0%）。64例行肌酶检查,肌酸激酶增高29例（45.3%）,乳酸脱氢酶增高21例（32.8%）。心电图检查发现窦性心动过缓13例（16.9%）。39例行心脏彩超检查,8例（20.5%）发现心包积液。结论本病临床表现复杂,窦缓、贫血、高脂血症、肌酶增高的患者应注意排除甲减。原发性临床甲状腺功能减退症的诊断主要根据低FT4、高TSH。甲减的治疗简单且有效,多数患者需要终身甲状腺激素替代治疗。     

Study of Clinicobiochemical Spectrum of Hypothyroidism

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the clinico biochemical spectrum of hypothyroidism and the relative importance of thyroid function tests, clinical symptoms and signs in thyroid dysfunction.

Methods

A retrospective study was done and 1702 requisitions for screening of hypothyroidism were analysed. The clinical presentation of cases was correlated with the results of thyroid profile tests.

Results

31.5% of the 1702 cases referred had thyroid dysfunction in the form of subclinical or overt hypothyroidism. In the hypothyroid group generalized weakness, weight gain and myxoedema was common. In cases of primary infertility and depression, subclinical and overt hypothyroidism was high (40% and 45.8% respectively). The average age of females with subclinical hypothyroidism was 30.8 years, 5.4 years less than females with overt hypothyroidism.

Conclusion

We conclude that hypothyroidism is common and often under-diagnosed. Therefore routine evaluation of female patients with weight gain, generalized weakness, infertility, depression and mood changes should include thyroid profile.Key Words: Hypothyroidism, Thyroid profile, Screening, Infertility, Depression     

上海宝山地区亚临床甲状腺功能减退症的流行病学研究

目的分析上海宝山地区亚临床甲状腺功能减退的流行病学特点。方法 2004年5月至2005年2 月对上海宝山地区2 780人进行血清甲状腺激素浓度和血脂测定。结果 2780例中,血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)浓度>5 mU/L为179例,其中临床甲状腺功能减退9例,亚临床甲状腺功能减退170例。亚临床甲状腺功能减退发病率为6．1％,其中男性为2．3％,女性为7．8％。亚临床甲状腺功能减退患病率随年龄增加而升高。血清 TSH浓度与总胆固醇水平呈正相关(r=0．141,P=0．003)。本区人群的尿碘水平属于正常范围。结论上海宝山地区的亚临床甲状腺功能减退患病率较高,且与年龄和性别相关。     

Comparison of hematological parameters in untreated and treated subclinical hypothyroidism and primary hypothyroidism patients

Backgrounds

Thyroid hormones play an important physiological role in human metabolism. Erythrocyte abnormalities are frequently associated with thyroid disorder. However, they are rarely investigated and related to the subclinical and primary hypothyroidism in Kashmiri Patients. In this study an attempt was made to study hematological parameters in untreated and treated subclinical hypothyroidism and primary hypothyroidism patients.

Methods

This retrospective study included 600 subjects, among which were untreated subclinical hypothyroid (n=110), treated subclinical hypothyroid (n=110), untreated primary hypothyroid (n=100), treated primary hypothyroid (n=100) and euthyroid (n=180). This study was carried out at Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College Srinagar. The hematological parameters and thyroid profile of the subjects were assessed by the Sysmex (Italy) and ECLIA (Germany) 2010 automatic analyzer. Mean, standard deviation (SD), analysis of variance (Two-way ANOVA), and multiple comparisons were used to report our results, with p<0.05 or p<0.01 considered as statistically significant.

Results

In this study group we compared the hematological parameters in these groups, untreated subclinical hypothyroid, treated subclinical hypothyroid, untreated primary hypothyroid, treated primary hypothyroid and euthyroid. We found that hematological parameters like Hb, RBC, MCV, HCT, RDW,RBC% were significantly increased in untreated subclinical hypothyroidism and untreated primary hypothyroidsm, with the p value being less than 0.05 whereas, in treated SCH & Pr. Hypothyroid, results were insignificant. The results reported in these groups as mean±SD, were statistically tested by ANOVA and multiple comparison tests. In untreated subclinical hypothyroid the values were: Hb (10.83±1.33 g/dl), RBC (4.21±0.66 10⁶/µl), MCV (84.56±6.84 fL), HCT (38.5±2.2%), RDW (17.91±2.37 fL), RBC% (84.36±13.2%) and in untreated primary hypothyroid, Hb (10.73±0.86 g/dl), RBC (4.63±0.51 10⁶/µl), MCV (83.34±6.92 fL), HCT (38.6±2.6%), RDW (14.93±5.47 fL), RBC% (92.63±10.30%) suggesting that these patients were at risk of anemia and other erythrocyte abnormalities. MCV is an inexpensive approach to study the types of anemia and explore related information like production, destruction, loss and morphological changes of RBC''S.

Conclusion

The thyroid dysfunction is frequently associated with anemia in subclinical hypothyroidism and primary hypothyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is associated with serious complications. Substantial numbers of patients with the risk of SCH could be getting converted into primary hypothyroidism. Such conditions should be identified and corrected. On the other hand, their presence could move to a thyroid dysfunction, allowing its early management.     

北京城区部分体检人群亚临床甲状腺功能异常发病情况调查

目的了解北京城区成年人群亚临床甲状腺功能异常的发病情况。方法2002年共1966人进行体检并测定血清促甲状腺激素（TSH）、甲状腺激素（T3、T4）及抗甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体（TPOAb）。2004年随访到1646人,随访率83．72％。结果亚临床甲状腺功能减退症（亚甲减）及亚临床甲状腺功能亢进症（亚甲亢）的年发病率分别为1．72％和0．25％。女性〉40岁组亚甲减年发病率高于≤40岁组,差异有统计学意义（x^2=10．869,P〈0．01）,而男性两年龄组比较差异无统计学意义。〉40岁组亚甲减年发病率女性高于男性（x^2=24．122,P〈0．01）,而≤40岁组男女发病率比较差异无统计学意义。亚甲亢两年龄组男女比较差异均无统计学意义。亚甲减既往史阳性组年发病率高于阴性组（x^2=6．898,P〈0．01）;家族史比较差异无统计学意义。亚甲亢既往史、家族史比较均无统计学意义。TPOAb阳性组亚甲减年发病率高于阴性组（x^2=14．084,P〈0．01）;而亚甲亢年发病率比较,差异无统计学意义。结论北京城区部分体检人群亚甲减发病率偏高,高龄、女性和TPOAb阳性者发病倾向更高。     

Ningbo thyroid dysfunction prevalence study: a cross-sectional survey in an employees-cohort

Background The prevalence and the spectrum of thyroid dysfunction in the mainland of China are not adequately understood. We performed a population-based study to determine the prevalence of major thyroid dysfunctions including overt and subclinical hyper- and hypothyroidism in a stable cohort. Methods All active and retired employees aged 20 years and older （11 067） of Sinopec Zhenhai Refining ＆ Chemical Company in Ningbo participated in the cross-sectional survey with a questionnaire and blood samples. Results A total of 10 405 individuals attended for screening. Using biochemical definitions 95.5% were euthyroid. The prevalence of former diagnosed hyperthyroidism was 1.1% in females and 0.4% in males, hypothyroidism 1.7% and 0.3%, and thyroid surgery 1.2% and 0.3%, respectively. In both sex the prevalence increased with age. Twenty-four percent of individuals with thyroid surgery or medications had abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH） levels. In individuals without a history of thyroid disease, the prevalence of pathological TSH values in females and males were TSH 〉10 mU/L 0.60% and 0.29%; TSH 4.8-9.9 mU/L 5.71% and 2.25%; TSH 〈0.3 mU/L 0.87% and 0.41%, respectively. Overt hyper- and hypothyroidism were uncommon （0.2%, 0.3%, respectively）. The prevalence of subclinical hyper- and hypothyroidism was 0.4% and 3.4%, respectively. Subclinical hypothyroidism was more common in females （male 2.4% vs. female 5.8%, P 〈0.001） and with increasing age （P 〈0.001）. Conclusions The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is 4.5% in the cohort. Among individuals with thyroid medications or surgery, only 75.7% were within the normal range of TSH. These results indicate that thyroid dysfunction is common in Chinese adults.     

Depression and anxiety in hypothyroidism

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety in patients with hypothyroidism and to compare this with euthyroid patients. Thirty patients with hypothyroidism and 30 euthyroid controls attending the Endocrinology outpatient department of Celal Bayar University, Medical Faculty were included in the study. The hormonal screening was done by immunoassay and haemagglutination methods. Then, for psychiatric assessment, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) were used. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of demographic features. Total scores obtained from the scales used in the study did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). The frequency of items of both HAM-D and HAM-A did not show any differences in the two groups. By Wilks' Lambda discriminant analysis, depressive mood (HAM-D#1) was found to be the discriminating feature between the hypothyroid group and the euthyroid group. Therefore, depression and anxiety were not outstanding features in hypothyrodism. However, depression was more significant in the hypothyroid than euthyroid group.     

Clinical presentation of thyroid dysfunction and Addison's disease in young adults with type 1 diabetes

In a clinic population of 509 type 1 diabetic patients aged 16-45 years, 5.5% had received treatment for thyroid disorders (20 hypothyroid, three males; eight thyrotoxicosis, four males), and Addison's disease was present in four patients (0.8%, one male). In all patients, type 1 diabetes preceded the diagnosis of the other autoimmune disorder. The clinical presentation of hypothyroidism was usually insidious with few symptoms, although an increased frequency of hypoglycaemic symptoms and/or raised serum cholesterol levels often prompted thyroid function testing. In contrast, the patients with thyrotoxicosis had florid symptoms, weight loss (mean 8.12 kg), palpable goitres, increasing insulin requirements, and low cholesterol levels. Six patients did not achieve remission or had recurrent thyrotoxicosis after oral antithyroid treatment and required 131I or thyroid surgery. A family history of autoimmune disease was present in 25% of patients with thyroid disorders (seven thyrotoxic and one hypothyroid) and in three of the four patients with Addison's disease. In this population of young adult type 1 diabetic patients, appropriate tests for thyroid dysfunction and Addison's disease should be carried out if there is clinical suspicion and/or unexplained changes in diabetic metabolic control or serum cholesterol. Careful follow-up of patients with a family history of these conditions is recommended.     

孕期不同甲状腺功能状态血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和载脂蛋白A-Ⅰ的变化趋势

目的:研究不同甲状腺功能状态对孕妇血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇( high density cholesterol, HDL-C)和载脂蛋白A-Ⅰ( apolipoprotein A-Ⅰ, ApoA-Ⅰ)代谢的影响. 方法:采集30名甲状腺功能正常(正常组)、19名亚临床甲状腺功能减退(亚甲减组)及8名亚临床甲状腺功能亢进(亚甲亢组)孕妇孕9~12、14~17、23~26和37~40周的空腹血清标本,测其血清HDL-C和ApoA-Ⅰ含量. 采用重复测量数据方差分析的秩和检验分析4个妊娠时段孕妇血清HDL-C、ApoA-Ⅰ含量的变化;采用一般线性模型( general linear model, GLM )分析3 组孕妇孕期血清HDL-C、ApoA-Ⅰ含量的差异. 结果:孕期各组孕妇血清HDL-C含量的变化差异均无统计学意义(χ2 =5. 428,P=0. 143;χ2 =2. 027,P=0. 567;χ2 =2. 885,P=0. 410),正常孕妇和亚甲减孕妇血清ApoA-Ⅰ的含量增高,差异均有统计学意义(χ2 =46. 343,P<0. 001;χ2 =35. 984,P<0. 001),亚甲亢孕妇血清ApoA-Ⅰ含量的变化差异无统计学意义(χ2 =6. 750,P=0. 080). 亚甲亢孕妇孕期血清HDL-C和ApoA-Ⅰ的含量均低于正常孕妇,差异均有统计学意义(P=0.025,P=0.027),正常孕妇与亚甲减孕妇孕期血清 HDL-C和 ApoA-Ⅰ含量的差异均无统计学意义(P =0. 378,P =0. 549). 结论:妊娠期亚甲亢影响孕妇血清HDL-C和ApoA-Ⅰ代谢,进而影响胎儿的生长发育;妊娠期亚甲减(经优甲乐治疗后)未发现影响孕妇血清HDL-C和ApoA-Ⅰ代谢.     

Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme. Alterations in hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and subacute thyroiditis

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was measured in the serum samples of 247 patients with varying thyroid states. In 60 hyperthyroid patients, the mean (+/- SD) ACE level of 29.5 +/- 9.7 units/mL was higher than in all other groups. The serum ACE level was 17.0 +/- 5.1 units/mL in 129 euthyroid subjects and differed from the level of 13.9 +/- 5.1 units/mL observed in 34 hypothyroid patients. Twenty-four patients receiving exogenous thyroid hormone had elevated serum thyroxine values. Their mean serum triiodothyronine level was in the normal range, and the mean ACE level did not differ from the euthyroid mean. The mean serum ACE level fell from 30.8 to 17.4 units/mL in 35 hyperthyroid patients studied before and after therapy. In 12 hypothyroid subjects, the mean serum ACE level rose from 11.6 to 15.8 units/mL after thyroid hormone replacement. In eight of ten patients with transient hyperthyroidism (subacute thyroiditis or painless thyrotoxic thyroiditis), their highest ACE levels were observed in the hyperthyroid or transition phase and fell progressively with the lowest values being recorded during the hypothyroid or early recovery phases. Thus, ACE activity may respond to thyroid hormone, and interpretation of serum ACE levels may require knowledge of the patient's thyroid status. Serum ACE may be useful as a probe for exploring peripheral thyroid hormone action.     

成都地区居民甲状腺功能状况调查

目的:了解成都地区居民甲状腺疾病的发病情况。方法:随机抽取2014年6月至2015年5月四川大学华西医院健康体检中心进行健康体检的成都地区居民17 161名,按性别分为男性组(8 943名)和女性组(8 218名),按年龄分为青年组、中年组和老年组,根据不同分组进行比较甲状腺疾病的发病率。结果:甲减、亚临床甲减、亚临床甲亢、甲亢、桥本氏甲状腺炎(Hashimoto thyroiditis,HT)的发病率分别为0.68%、17.09%、0.41%、0.48%和17.76%。女性的甲减、亚临床甲减、亚临床甲亢、甲亢的发病率分别为0.92%、21.95%、0.63%、0.78%,均明显高于男性人群的0.46%、12.62%、0.21%、0.20%(均P<0.001)。女性青年、中年、老年组甲状腺功能异常的发病率分别为20.84%、26.78%、34.85%,且老年组甲状腺异常率明显高于中年和青年组(均P<0.05),老年组甲状腺异常发病率明显高于中年组和青年组(均P<0.05);男性青年、中年、老年组甲状腺异常的发病率分别为11.72%、11.85%、20.74%,且老年组甲状腺异常发病率明显高于中年组和青年组(均P<0.05)。HT患者中,TPOAb(+)Tg Ab(+)组甲减、亚临床甲减的发病率明显高于TPOAb(+)Tg Ab(-)组和TPOAb(-)Tg Ab(+)组发病率(均P<0.05)。结论:成都地区居民甲状腺功能紊乱的发病率较高,临床医师需注重对女性以及老年男性群体甲状腺功能的筛查,需同时注重对女性人群TPOAb、Tg Ab的筛查。对甲状腺功能正常的HT患者,需予以定期随访观察。     

89例老年住院病人甲状腺异常分析

目的　探讨因各种急性或慢性疾病就诊的老年病人的甲状腺形态、功能状况。方法　 89例因非甲状腺疾病就诊的住院病人 ,均于入院当日晨起时抽空腹静脉血检测T3 、T4、FT3 、FT4、TSH、rT3 。其中 3 9例行甲状腺B超检查。结果　筛查出临床甲状腺功能减退症 (甲减 )患者 4人 (4 49% ) ,亚临床甲减 5人 (5 61% ) ,另有TSH >4 0mU/L 9人(13 75 % ) ,其中TSH >5 0mU/L 3人 (3 92 % )。 3 3人有T3 /FT3 不同程度降低 ,其中甲状腺功能正常性病变综合征 (SES ,低T3 /低T4综合征 ) 11例 (12 3 % ) ,低T3 、T4综合征 4例。结论　在老年住院病人中 ,甲状腺功能减退是一种发病率高又极其容易被漏诊的疾病 ,同时SES ,T3 /FT3 的降低程度及FT3 的升高程度与疾病的严重程度及预后有关系。     

2型糖尿病合并亚甲减对微血管并发症的影响

目的 探讨亚临床甲状腺功能减退对2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者微血管并发症的影响.方法 根据是否合并亚临床甲状腺功能减退将入组的280例T2DM患者分为单纯T2DM组(228例)和糖尿病合并亚临床甲减(SCH)组(52例),并且根据不同促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平将SCH组分为两组,即SCH1组(4.2≤TSH≤10 μIU/ml,45例)和SCH2组(TSH≥10μIU/ml,7例),分析TSH水平与糖尿病肾病及视网膜病变的相关性.结果 SCH组总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白、TSH水平高于DM组,SCH组DM肾病和视网膜病变的发生率显著高于DM组(P＜0.05),且SCH2组DM肾病和视网膜病变的发生率高于SCH1组(P＜0.05);Logistic回归分析结果显示亚临床甲状腺功能减退为T2DM患者糖尿病肾病及视网膜病变的危险因素.结论 T2DM合并亚临床甲减患者其糖尿病肾病及视网膜病变的发生率明显增高,且T2DM合并高水平TSH的患者发生糖尿病微血管并发症的风险更高,提示亚临床甲减是T2DM患者微血管病变独立的危险因素.     

Prevalence of antithyroid microsomal antibody in thyroid patients of endemic goitre area

The region of greater Mymensingh known for iodine endemicity, recently came under iodine supplementation as a result of mandatory universal iodination of salt program. Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are among the most common human autoimmune disorders & presence of autoantibodies to the microsomal antigen (AntiMCAb) is a hallmark of disease activity. Both iodine deficiency & iodine supplementation precipitate increase rate of autoimmunity to the thyroid gland. Study was undertaken to determine prevalence of AntiMCAb positive cases among patients with various thyroid diseases. High resolution ultrasound (HRUS), serum thyroid hormone assays & scintiscan were used to classify the thyroid patients into 8 categories. 221 patients were studied during the stipulated period of 3 months. Male patients were 60 & female patients were 161. Age ranged from 11 to 65 years with median age 29.4 years. AntiMCAb test were done with radioimmunoassay (RIA). 126 patients had antimicrosomal antibody (57.01%). All form of hypothyroid (atrophic, goitrous, Hashimoto's) have very high rate of AntiMCAb positive cases. Highest 89.28% were seen in patients showing feature of Hashimoto's thyroiditis or generalized feature of AITD in HRUS with hypothyroidism, followed had 61.29% positive cases, However, antithyroid antibody was found in all form of thyroid disorders. Nodular goiter had 21.73% antiMCAb positive cases. AntiMCAb found positive at the rate of 33.33% in euthyroid patients with HRUS feature of AITD & diffuse euthyroid goiter, 40% in subclinical hypothyroid, 40% in subclinical hyperthyroid. Female rated higher in range of antimicrosomal antibody positivism. 59% of all thyroid patients among female subjects were AntMCAb positive, where as 51.67% male thyroid patients were positive. Highest number of positive cases found in the 30-35 age group. No definite pattern, however, was observed among age distribution. 20 age matched sample from patients unsuspected of thyroid disease shows 10% AntiMCAb positive compared to 73.33% of the same among same age group of thyroid patients. Frank Hashimoto's thyroiditis with positive antiMCAb and hypothyroidism were all detected by HRUS.     

Depression, anxiety, health-related quality of life, and disability in patients with overt and subclinical thyroid dysfunction

BACKGROUND: Thyroid dysfunction may impair the quality of life (QoL) and may cause psychological symptoms. The aim of this study is to investigate prospectively the effects of thyroid dysfunction on quality of life, levels of depression/anxiety and the changes in these variables after treatment. METHODS: A total of 160 subjects, consisting of an overt hypothyroidism group (n = 33), a subclinical hypothyroidism group (n = 43), an overt hyperthyroidism group (n = 51), a subclinical hyperthyroidism group (n = 13), and a healthy control group (n = 20) were included in the study. All groups were evaluated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and Brief Disability Questionnaire (BDQ). Health-related quality of life (HRQL) was measured by SF-36. RESULTS: Anxiety and depressive symptoms were more severe in patients with overt hypo- and hyperthyroidism (p <0.001). The QoL was worse in overt or subclinical hyper- and hypothyroidism groups than in the control group [p = 0.013 for physical composite score (PCS); p = 0.002 for mental composite score (MCS)]. Psychological symptoms and QoL were improved in overt and subclinical hypothyroidism and overt hyperthyroidism groups as a result of the treatment. The overt hyper- and hypothyroidism groups showed more improvement than the subclinical groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that restoration of euthyroidism is accompanied by improvement on QoL and psychological symptoms in all groups except the subclinical hyperthyroidism group. Controlled, randomized studies in larger groups are, however, necessary.     

Hypothyroidism and obesity. Cause or effect?

OBJECTIVE: To establish relationship between obesity and hypothyroidism and to analyze the frequency the frequency of primary hypothyroidism in obese patients and frequency of obesity in primary hypothyroidism patients. METHODS: We conducted this retrospective, observational study in the Department of Endocrinology and Obesity Clinic, Medwin Hospital, Hyderabad, India in Mar 2008. In the last 18 months (between September 2006 to February 2008), data on 625 consecutive primary hypothyroidism patients (Group I) and 450 patients from obesity clinic (Group II) were analyzed. Frequency difference between the 2 groups was assessed by Chi-square test. RESULTS: In Group I, 278/625 (44%) had body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2. Obesity was higher (46% versus 34%) in overt hypothyroidism than in subclinical hypothyroidism (p=0.21). More patients were overweight in overt hypothyroidism group than in subclinical hypothyroidism group (p=0.02). In obesity patients, overt hypothyroidism was present in 33% and subclinical hypothyroidism in 11% patients. CONCLUSION: Overall thyroid dysfunction was found more in obese individuals with varying degree of significance. Detailed studies are required to assess the cause and effect relation between obesity and hypothyroidism.     

A morphometric study on the endometrium of rat uterus in hypothyroid and thyroxine treated hypothyroid rats

Hypothyroidism increases the rate of pregnancy loss. Other manifestations include menstrual disorder, and infertility. Serum levels of gonadotropins are low in hypothyroid patients. Though studies of uterine ultrastructure are well established as approaches to investigating the pathophysiology of infertility, they have scarcely been extended to the study of hypothyroid related infertility. The present study investigates the effect of hypothyroidism on the ultrastructure of uterine epithelium. Three groups of Wistar rats were studied. Two groups were initially made hypothyroid using methimazole, and the third group was an untreated control. One hypothyroid group was given daily injections of thyroxine for six weeks. The uteri were removed in all three groups, and processed for transmission electron microscopy and morphometry. It was found that absolute epithelial cell volume was decreased in hypothyroidism. The volume of the nucleus had decreased though its relative volume in the cell had increased. The height of the luminal epithelium in hypothyroid rats also decreased by (33.8%) as compared with controls. Basement membrane thickness was significantly increased in hypothyroidism. The changes were all substantially abrogated by the administration of thyroxine. This study suggests that thyroid hormones might be importantly concerned in the maintenance of the normal structure of uterine epithelial cells.