An examination of the relationship between normal range thyrotropin and cardiovascular risk parameters: a study in healthy women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between thyrotropin concentrations within the accepted reference range and cardiovascular risk.


METHODS
Initially, 728 women aged 45-60 years were enrolled over a 12-month period. All participants underwent full cardiovascular assessment, including detailed health questionnaire, sphygomanometry, body mass index (BMI) calculation, fasting glucose and lipid profiling, and measurement of serum thyrotropin concentrations. Patients whose thyrotropin concentrations were within the reference range (0.5-4.5 mU/L) were divided into quartiles (n = 629). The means of cardiovascular risk parameters between the first (n = 158) and fourth (n = 157) quartile were compared. Subsequently, the relationships between thyrotropin concentration and risk parameters for cardiovascular disease were examined.


RESULTS
This study demonstrates that, within the reference range, increasing thyrotropin concentrations are associated with increasing risk parameters for the development of cardiovascular disease. Subjects with thyrotropin concentrations within the uppermost quartile of the reference range had significantly increased waist circumference, BMI, glucose, triglyceride, and systolic blood pressure measurements when compared to those in the lowermost quartile. Furthermore, significant relationships between thyrotropin and waist circumference, BMI, and fasting glucose and triglycerides concentrations were demonstrated. Finally, independent relationships between thyrotropin and both fasting glucose and triglyceride concentrations were demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
Within the reference range, increasing thyrotropin concentrations are associated with increasing cardiovascular risk parameters. Fasting glucose and triglycerides have been shown to be independently associated with thyrotropin concentration.
Waterhouse
Deirdre F
DF
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
McLaughlin
Anne Marie
AM
Walsh
Cathal D
CD
Sheehan
Frances
F
O'Shea
Donal
D
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D014280:Triglycerides; D013972:Thyrotropin; D005947:Glucose