Thyroid function, autoimmunity, thyroid volume, and metabolic profile in people with Hashimoto thyroiditis

Abstract

Background

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is associated with high cardiovascular risk. Thyroid volume has a notable dispersion of values in these patients. This study aims to clarify the association between thyroid antibodies, thyroid morphology, insulin resistance, and lipid profile in patients with HT.

Methods

Cross-sectional study that includes 409 subjects diagnosed with HT. We assessed thyroid function, markers of autoimmunity, and markers of cardiovascular risk. We also evaluated thyroid ultrasound and studied the correlation between all factors.

Results

Among the study population, 9.8% were male, the mean age was 56.4 ± 17.4 years, 63.7% had dyslipidemia, and 29.5% had diabetes. Patients with hypothyroidism had higher levels of anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOab), and the decreased thyroid dimensions subgroup had a higher percentage of patients taking levothyroxine (98.7%). Positive correlations were found between TPOab and volume, and negative correlations were observed between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and volume.

Conclusion

The current study reveals a complex interrelationship between cardiovascular disease risk factors, thyroid function, autoimmunity, and thyroid volume in HT. These associations may be of clinical relevance, and further studies are needed to elucidate how these findings may be used clinically to reduce the cardiovascular risk in patients with HT.