HYPERTENSION IN HYPOTHYROIDISM, A RESPONSE TO REPLACEMENT THERAPY WITH L-THYROXINE

Abstract

Objective: To study the association between hypertension and hypothyroidism.Patients and Methods: Sixty two female patients enrolled in this study were selected from eighty three patientsconsulted the Endocrine and Diabetic Center in Al-Mawani General Hospital during the period from January 2009 toDecember 2011 and presented with features of hypothyroidism. Each patient was interviewed, examined for bodymass index and blood pressure measurements. Twenty one patients were excluded from the study fasting bloodsamples were analyzed to determine FT3, FT4, TSH, prolactin and total cholesterol levels.Results: The level of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in overt hypothyroidism in comparison to subclinicalhypothyroidism showed a dramatic response to thyroxine replacement. Mean difference (95% CI after treatment withL-thyroxine for systolic (SBP) (19.78-29.31 mmHg) and (10.98-17.07 mmHg) for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) inovert hypothyroidism, while the mean difference (95% CI in subclinical form is (2.79-8.49 mmHg) for systolic (SBP)and (0.1-3.24 mmHg) for diastolic (DBP) blood pressure.Conclusion: Systolic and diastolic hypertension in hypothyroidism is a common association but the response ofblood pressure to replacement with thyroxine was significant in overt hypothyroidism in comparison to subclinicalhypothyroidism, while only systolic component had responded to replacement therapy in subclinical type.