Association between blood pressure and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration within the reference range: a population-based study.
BACKGROUND
The association between thyroid function and blood pressure is insufficiently studied.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the investigation was to study the association between TSH within the reference range and blood pressure.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional, population-based study.


METHODS
A total of 30,728 individuals without previously known thyroid disease were studied.


METHODS
The main outcome measures were mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure and odds ratio for hypertension (>140/90 mm Hg or current or previous use of antihypertensive medication), according to categories of TSH.


RESULTS
Within the reference range of TSH (0.50-3.5 mU/liter), there was a linear increase in blood pressure with increasing TSH. The average increase in systolic blood pressure was 2.0 mm Hg [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-2.6 mm Hg] per milliunit per liter increase in TSH among men, and 1.8 mm Hg (95% CI 1.4-2.3 mm Hg) in women. The corresponding increase in diastolic blood pressure was 1.6 mm Hg (95% CI 1.2-2.0 mm Hg) in men and 1.1 mm Hg (95% CI 0.8-1.3 mm Hg) in women. Comparing TSH of 3.0-3.5 mU/liter (upper part of the reference) with TSH of 0.50-0.99 mU/liter (lower part of the reference), the odds ratio for hypertension was 1.98 (95% CI 1.56-2.53) in men and 1.23 (95% CI 1.04-1.46) in women.


CONCLUSIONS
Within the reference range of TSH, we found a linear positive association between TSH and systolic and diastolic blood pressure that may have long-term implications for cardiovascular health.
Asvold
Bjørn O
BO
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7489 Trondheim, Norway. bjorn.o.asvold@ntnu.no
Bjøro
Trine
T
Nilsen
Tom I L
TI
Vatten
Lars J
LJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D012016:Reference Values; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*
D013972:Thyrotropin