Relationship between TSH level and risk factors for cerebrovascular disease in subclinical hypothyroidism patients

Objective To explore the relationship between thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level and risk factors for cerebrovascular disease in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) patients and its significance. Methods According to the TSH level, the 160 cases of newly diagnosed SCH in our hospital between June, 2016 and July, 2017 were divided into group A (90 cases, 4.95 mIU/L10.00 mIU/L). And 50 healthy people with normal thyroid function were assigned into the control group. The levels of the serum TSH, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), homocysteine (Hcy), and other risk factors for cerebrovascular disease were measured. The relationship between thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level and risk factors for cerebrovascular disease was analyzed. Results The levels of BMI, TC, TG, LDL-C, Hcy, TSH and CIMT in group A and B was significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, Hcy, TSH and CIMT in group B was higher as compared with those in group A and control group (P<0.05). In SCH patients, TSH was positively correlated with the levels of BMI, TC, TG, LDL-C, Hcy and CIMT, and negatively correlated with HDL-C (all P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that TSH was an independent risk factor for the elevated LDL-C, Hcy, and CIMT (all P<0.05). Conclusion TSH is closely related to the risk factors for cerebrovascular disease, and is one of the factors that affect the occurrence and development of cerebrovascular disease.