title: Noninvasive indicators of atherosclerosis in subclinical hypothyroidism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiovascular system is rich in thyroid hormone receptors and is one of the major sites of action for thyroid hormones. However, the effect of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) on atherosclerosis has not been cleared yet.
  
  
  METHODS
  SCH is defined as high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the presence of normal serum T4 and T3 levels. A total of 32 patients with SCH and 29 controls were included in the study. Carotid intima-media thickness, flow-mediated dilatation, and aortic distensibility were compared between the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FMD was lower in patients with SCH than in controls. GTN-induced vasodilatation was similar in the patients with SCH and controls. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients with SCH and controls with respect to CIMT and aortic distensibility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SCH is associated with endothelial dysfunction as established by FMD. Inconsistent results of CIMT and aortic stiffness can be explained by these parameters being measures of structural changes whereas FMD is a dynamic measure that reflects the impact of both acute and chronic influences on endothelial function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Pamukkale University School of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ismail Dogu
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Kilic
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanriverdi
authors.forename: Semin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fenkci
authors.forename: Fulya
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akin
authors.forename: Sukriye
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uslu
authors.forename: Asuman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaftan
keywords: Aortic distensibility; carotid intima-media thickness; flow-mediated dilatation; subclinical hypothyroidism