Subclinical Hypothyroidism and the Risk of Hypercholesterolemia

Abstract
BACKGROUND Subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as a mild elevation in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in patients with normal serum thyroxine levels, has been associated with elevationed levels in serum cholesterol in some sample populations. These studies, however, have included referred patients and large numbers of patients with previously treated hyperthyroidism. The aim of this study was to assess whether subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with abnormal lipid levels in a population-based sample.