Relationship of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size to thyroid function status in Koreans.
OBJECTIVE
Dyslipidaemia is a well-known manifestation of thyroid dysfunction. Recently, small low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size has been linked with development of cardiovascular disease. To better understand the effects of thyroid dysfunction on the development of cardiovascular disease, we examined LDL particle size and lipid profiles in subjects with different thyroid function.


METHODS
Included were 46 patients with overt hypothyroidism, 57 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, 46 patients with overt hyperthyroidism, 51 patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism, and 110 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. We measured LDL particle size and lipid profiles in these subjects.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found in LDL particle size between the groups with different thyroid function. Serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the cases of hypothyroidism than in the cases of hyperthyroidism and the healthy control subjects. Serum triglyceride levels were higher in subjects with overt hypothyroidism than in those with overt hyperthyroidism or healthy control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
LDL particle size, the emerging risk factor for atherosclerosis, did not appear to be significantly affected by the degree of thyroid dysfunction. Increased risk of atherosclerosis in hypothyroidism does not appear to be associated with LDL particle size, the non-traditional cardiovascular risk factor.
Kim
Chul Sik
CS
Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea. ironeat@hallym.ac.kr
Kang
Jun Goo
JG
Lee
Seong Jin
SJ
Ihm
Sung Hee
SH
Yoo
Hyung Joon
HJ
Nam
Ji Sun
JS
Ahn
Chul Woo
CW
Kim
Kyung Rae
KR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D012307:Risk Factors; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology*
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL