Thyroid Dysfunction and Risk to Coronary Heart Disease Based on Serum Cholesterol Level: A Laboratory Based study in Kathmandu, Nepal 12

Thyroid dysfunction is one of the major global public health problems. It arises from the abnormalities in the synthesis, storage or release of thyroid hormone. Fluctuations in the level of thyroid hormone on certain molecular pathways in the heart and vasculature causes relevant cardiovascular derangements. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and risk to coronary heart disease based on serum cholesterol level among suspected cases. A laboratory based cross sectional study was carried out (n=80, male=23, female=57) in Kathmandu Model Hospital, Nepal during January to April 2010. Blood samples were collected after taking the consent of participants and analyzed for FT3, FT4, TSH, and total cholesterol. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13.0 applying appropriate statistical tools.The median age of the participants was 51 years (range 25-75 years). About 7.5 % (6/80) comprised of hypothyroidism, 38.75% (31/80) subclinical hypothyroidism and 11.25% (9/80) subclinical hyperthyroidism. The mean value of serum levels of FT3, FT4 and TSH were determined to be 1.51±0.67pg/ml, 2.23±1.04pg/ml and 20±3.98 µIU/ml respectively in hypothyroid patients followed by subclinical hypothyroidism;3.0±0.87pg/ml,12.43±2.60pg/ml & 8.39±2.07µIU/ml), subclinical hyperthyroidism;3.96±1.31pg/ml,15.73±0.81pg/ml &0.15±0.09 µIU/ml), hyperthyroidism; 26 pg/ml, 40 pg/ml and 0.01 µIU/ml and euthyroid; 2.73±0.87 pg/ml, 12.19±2.8 pg/ml &2.77±1.03 µ IU/ml. There was strong positive correlation with TSH Vs SCL among subclinical hypothyroidism (r=0.88). Nearly three-fifth of the participants were found to be suffered from different thyroid dysfunctions. About 7.5% comprised hypothyroidism, 11.25% subclinical hyperthyroidism and 38.75% subclinical hypothyroidism. Awareness on modification of sedentary life style and frequent medical examination with thyroid function tests will support to reduce the risk of CHD.