Association of thyroid-stimulating hormone and cardiovascular risk factors

Intern Med. 2015;54(20):2537-44. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.4514. Epub 2015 Oct 15.

Abstract

Thyroid hormone plays an important role in regulating the lipid and glucose metabolism. Previously, much attention has been drawn to define the pathophysiological relationship between thyroid dysfunction and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). While the conditions of overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism were both emphasized, the association between CVD risks and the deregulated circulating thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level remains to be elucidated. Nevertheless, multiple TSH-mediated physiological adaptations, including alteration of the serum lipids, body mass index, blood pressure and insulin sensitivity, have led to the difficulty of clearly examining the association between the TSH level and CVD prevalence. The current review aims to 1) summarize the evidence for the role of thyroid dysfunction and TSH abnormality in CVD pathogenesis and 2) explore the possible underlying molecular mechanisms of TSH-mediated cardiovascular pathology in hopes of providing better therapeutic strategies for the patients with deregulated TSH.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Pressure
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / blood*
  • Hypothyroidism / complications
  • Hypothyroidism / physiopathology
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Thyrotropin / blood*
  • Thyrotropin / metabolism

Substances

  • Lipids
  • Thyrotropin