Thyroid function tests, serum lipids and gender interrelations in a middle-aged population.
OBJECTIVE
To study the value of screening for thyroid function in a screening program for hyperlipidaemia.


METHODS
A screening study in primary health care.


METHODS
All individuals in a defined rural area, Söderåkra, Sweden, aged 40-59 years were invited to a screening programme at the local primary health care centre.


METHODS
782 individuals were invited for screening. Blood samples were obtained from 88% of the invited males and from 92% of the females.


METHODS
Thyroid function tests (thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4), serum lipids (total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and s-triglycerides), b-glucose and body anthropometry (body mass index and waist to hip circumference) were measured.


RESULTS
0.57% of males and 1.13% of females showed evidence of hypothyroidism as defined by a TSH value greater than 3.75 mU/l of those with s-cholesterol concentration above 7 mmol/l. In addition, higher TSH values in females were associated with higher s-cholesterol, s-LDL-cholesterol and s-triglycerides.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems appropriate to screen for hypothyroidism in females with s-cholesterol above 7.0 mmol/l.
Petersson
U
U
Primary Health Care Centre of Söderåkra, Sweden. ullape@ltkalmar.se
Kjellström
T
T
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol