17. Assessment of association between hypothyroidism and hypertension among females of Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan
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Abstract
Secondary hypertension has been associated with hypothyroidism. High blood pressure values and the prevalence of hypertension have been demonstrated in hypothyroid patients. Low cardiac output, increased peripheral and vascular resistance, arterial stiffness, high levels of norepinephrine in serum have been considered the mechanisms involved in developing diastolic hypertension in a state of hypothyroidism. To evaluate the association between hypertension and hypothyroidism, analysis of thyroid hormones levels and blood pressure values were determined in 450 chronic thyroiditis female patients of Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. On the basis of TFT, T4 (thyroxine) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level in blood 298 females were categorized as euthyroid while 152 were hypothyroid [T4 (thyroxine) = 3.01 ± 0.2 µg/dl and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) = 108.5 + 5.4/µU/ml]. In hypothyroid females with age more than 50 years, not systolic but diastolic blood pressure was recorded to be higher as compared to females of same age with euthyroid. In hypothyroid females, high prevalence of hypertension was observed with systolic/diastolic BP more than the reference value of 160/95 mm Hg (15.4% vs. 6.3% and p value< 0.01). The data of both groups hypothyroid and euthyroid was collectively analyzed, significant correlations was found between thyroid hormones level T3 and T4 (r = - 0.159, p value< 0.01, and r = - 0.198, p value< 0.01). Replacement therapy of thyroid hormone can be used to normalize the thyroid function. It can be concluded that there was found a strong association of hypothyroidism and hypertension.
Keywords: Blood pressure, chronic thyroiditis, Hypothyroidism, Thyroid hormones, T3, T4, TSH