Metabolic effects caused by sodium levothyroxine in subclinical hypothyroidism patients with low HDL

• Published in: Obesity medicine 2019-03, Vol.13, p.26-28
• Main Authors: Garcia, Bernardo F., da Veiga, Glaucia L., Alves, Beatriz CA, Gehrke, Flavia S., Fonseca, Fernando Luiz A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: HDL cholesterol; Sodium levothyroxine; Subclinical hypothyroidism
• ISSN: 2451-8476; 2451-8476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.obmed.2018.12.008

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is an autoimmune thyroid disorder characterized by elevated TSH with values of T3, T4, free T3 and free T4 within the reference range. High TSH levels are associated with lipid alteration. A total of 21 patients aged between 18 and 80 years were recruited. The sample was composed of 17 females and 4 males, all of whom had TSH values ranging from 5.0 to 9.9 (mlU/L) and normal free T4 levels. They were followed up for 26 months while undergoing sodium levothyroxine replacement therapy (12.5–25 mcg/day). Throughout this period, TSH, free T4 HDL, LDL, triglyceride, total cholesterol and glucose levels were evaluated. A significant improvement in HDL cholesterol levels was observed. There was also a decrease in fasting glucose. No significant changes were seen in triglyceride levels. As observed throughout this study, SH patients with low HDL under therapy showed a significant increase in HDL levels after TSH levels were normalized. Therefore, it is quite clear that thyroid hormones affect lipid metabolism, and, as a result, metabolic syndrome components. •The sodium levothyroxine in subclinical hypothyroidism patients decreases glucose.•No significant changes were observed in triglyceride levels with sodium levothyroxine treatment.•The sodium levothyroxine is beneficial to HDL cholesterol.