Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism can predispose systolic and diastolic cardiac dysfunction, increased peripheral vascular resistance, endothelial dysfunction, altered coagulopathy, and dyslipidemia resulting in atherosclerosis. Thyroid hormones can influence homocysteine metabolism by regulating the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (M THR). So, this study aimed to compare the markers homocysteine, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and Atherogenic Indices (AI) between newly diagnosed hypothyroid and euthyroid premenopausal women. METHODS: 80 Female patients between 20 and 45 years were enrolled in this study and were equally divided into cases and controls group. Laboratory tests included: i) Serum T3, T4, TSH was measured using electrochemiluminescence, ii) lipid profile, homocysteine, and hs-CRP were measured for all the participants. Atherogenic indices: Castelli risk indices I&II, Atherogenic coefficient (AEC), and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) were calculated using formulas. A comparison between the study groups was made by using the Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The hypothyroid group had significantly higher levels of homocysteine (p= 0.014), and hs-CRP (hs-CRP> 3.0 mg/L, 70% of participants have intermediate to high risk for a cardiovascular event) and elevated BMI compared to participants in the euthyroid group. Atherogenic indices (p< 0.001) was significantly increased in the hypothyroid participants' group. TC, TG , and LDL were significantly elevated in the hypothyroid group but did not show any association with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Premenopausal women with hypothyroidism have a greater predisposition for cardiovascular disease compared to euthyroid.