LIPID LEVELS AND ATHEROGENIC INDICIS IN PRE- AND POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH AUTOIMMUNE HYPOTHYROIDISM IN RELATION TO TSH VALUES

Introduction According to current guidelines target levels of TSH below 2.5 mIU/l are recommended for the treatment of primary hypothyroidism but data on the benefits of this approach are inconclusive. Aim To compare lipid levels and atherogenic indices in pre- and postmenopausal women with autoimmune hypothyroidism on levothyroxine replacement therapy according to TSH values and evaluate their relationship with thyroid function tests. Patients and methods 84 pre- and 54 postmenopausal women on levothyroxine replacement therapy in euthyroid state (TSH 0.4-4.2 mIU/l) were included in the study. Serum levels of TSH, free thyroxine, total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides were measured; LDL values and atherogenic indicis were calculated. Results No differences between lipid parameters were found in premenopausal women with TSH below or above 2.5 mIU/l. No correlation between TSH levels and lipids and atherogenic indicis was observed. In postmenopausal women with TSH below 2.5 the levels of total (р=0.022) and LDL cholesterol (р=0.016) were significantly higher compared to those with TSH above 2.5 mIU/l. In addition, there was significant negative correlation between TSH and total cholesterol (р