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Free T3, LDL cholesterol inversely associated in euthyroid women
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Among a group of euthyroid women, researchers found inversely related levels of free triiodothyronine and LDL cholesterol.
Vicente A. Benites -Zapata, MD, MSc, of the Escuela de Medicina Humana, Universidad Cientifica del Sur in Peru, and colleagues evaluated 211 euthyroid women (mean age, 44.9 years) with chronic gynecological symptoms for at least 6 months who attended a private clinic between 2012 and 2014 to determine associations between thyroid hormones and lipid profile markers. Participants had no history of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, thyroid dysfunction or immunosuppression. Chronic gynecologic symptoms included candidiasis or recurrent vaginosis, menstrual abnormalities, chronic pelvic pain, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and hot flashes. Among the cohort 15.2% reported headaches, 14.3% persistent vaginal discharge, 9.2% weight gain and 8.8% fatigue. Mean free triiodothyronine (T3) level was 3.2 pg/mL, mean free thyroxine (T4) level was 1.2 ng/dL, and median thyroid-stimulating hormone level was 2.8 µU/mL. Mean LDL cholesterol level was 137.5 mgdL, mean HDL cholesterol level was 54 mg/dL, and median triglyceride level was 118.5 mg/dL.
Researchers observed a negative correlation between free T3 and LDL cholesterol levels (P < .01). Free T4 levels were positively correlated with HDL cholesterol (P = .01), and TSH levels were negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol (P = .02). No significant correlations were observed between the thyroid hormones and triglyceride values.
LDL cholesterol values decreased, on average, 21.11 mg/dL with each unit increase in free T3 (P < .01) in the univariate linear regression model; the association remained significant in the multivariate linear regression model (P < .01). HDL cholesterol values increased, on average, 13.2 mg/dL with each unit increase in free T4 (P < .01) in the univariate linear regression model. HDL cholesterol values decreased, on average, -1.12 mg/dL with each unit increase in TSH (P = .02).
“We found an inverse association between the [free T3] and [LDL-cholesterol] values in women with chronic gynecological symptoms,” the researchers wrote. “It is necessary to carry out population and clinical studies in this area with a larger population that aims to assess the improvement of [LDL-cholesterol] levels and the presence of chronic symptoms by supplementation with T3. Assessing the [free T3] and [LDL-cholesterol] levels in people with high cardiovascular risk would add a favorable element for the clinical management in this population.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.
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