Effect of Levothyroxine Therapy on Hypothyroidism-induced Dyslipidemia

Abstract

Objective: The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism, both subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) and overt hypothyroidism (OH), its correlation with dyslipidemia, and whether replacement therapy with levothyroxine has an effect on plasma lipid profile, i.e., total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) of hypothyroid patients. Materials and methods:A prospective, open-label, observational, clinical study was conducted by the Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with the Department of Medicine, Rohilkhand Medical College & Hospital, for a period of 10 months. A total of 50 patients, age 18 to 65 years, of both genders, who were newly diagnosed cases of hypothyroidism with dyslipidemia (Adult Treatment Panel III National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines) were recruited for the study. Levothyroxine replacement therapy was administered and the patients were reassessed at 6 and 36 weeks for an effect on lipid profile and body mass index. Results:In cases of OH, baseline TC, TG, LDL, and HDL were 231. 01 ± 27.84, 148.18 ± 10.72, 149.07 ± 12.38, and 35.42 ± 6.73 mg/dL, which was reduced to 177. 33 ± 23.17, 123.15 ± 29.50, 118.44 ± 29.85, and 47.86 ± 8.53 mg/dL after 36 weeks of levothyroxine therapy (p < 0.05). Conclusion:In cases of OH associated with dyslipidemia, levothyroxine therapy achieved a favorable lipid profile in significant number of cases.