A study of subclinical hypothyroidism in patients of western india for prevalance of anti thyroid peroxidase antibody and its association with dyslipidemia

Background: In comparison to overt hypothyroidism Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is more common and considered as mild thyroid failure. SCH is also having high probability to convert into overt hypothyroidism. It is well established fact that overt hypothyroidism is associated with dyslipdemia but It is controversial in SCH and there are few Indian studies suggesting correlation between TPO positivity and lipid abnormalities in SCH. Hence, Aim of this study to find the association between dyslipidemia and TPO positivity in SCH patients. Methods: 175 cases of subclinical hypothyroidism were recruited fromOPD&IPD department of medicine Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Hospital Jaipur. After overnight fasting blood samples were drawn in the morning and serum TSH, free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), antithyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) levels, as well as lipid concentrations were measured. Results: Significantly high(p < 0.001) Cholesterol, LDL, TG level in Anti-TPO (+ ve) group while HDL level was significantly low(p=0.003) in Anti TPO (+ ve)group. Patients were divided according to levels of TSH. Significantly high(p value< 0.001) levels of Anti-TPO, Cholesterol, LDL was found in patients having TSH levels >10 in comparison to TSH levels ≤ 10. while there were no statistical difference (p value >0.05)in values of TG, VLDL, HDL levels between both groups. Conclusions: In SCH patients, dyslipidemia is significantly associated with TPO positivity and it may be associated with levels of TSH, such patients may convert into overt hypothyroidism in future. Hence to prevent adverse outcomes early screening, diagnosis, and treatment of SCH patients are recommended.