The Association of Thyroid Autoimmunity and Lipid Profile in Hypothyroidism: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid disorders, particularly hypothyroidism, are the most common thyroid disorders in India, affecting one in ten adults. Autoimmunity may play a significant role in the progression of hyperlipidaemia, which is one of the recurrent issues associated with thyroid disorders. Although serum lipids have been proven to control immunological and inflammatory responses, little is known about their relationship to thyroid autoimmunity. Aim: To investigate the association between Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (anti-TPO) and serum lipid parameters among patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Parul Sevashram Hospital in Vadodara, Gujarat from November 2022 to May 2023. A total of 103 patients with hypothyroidism were included in the study. All patients underwent estimation of thyroid function parameters such as triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and ThyroidStimulating Hormone (TSH), as well as anti-TPO levels and selected lipid profile parameters such as Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL), and LowDensity Lipoproteins (LDL). The association between anti-TPO and lipid levels was further analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. Results: Among the 103 hypothyroid patients, 83 (80.6%) were females, while only 20 (19.4%) were males. Positive serum antiTPO antibodies were found in 79 (76.7%) patients, whereas negative Anti-TPO cases accounted for 24 (23.3%). The total serum cholesterol, with a mean of 226.88±37.44 mg/dL, and serum LDL, with 145.31±34.60 mg/dL, were significantly increased (p-value<0.01), whereas the serum TG with a mean of 181.06±52.13 mg/dL, and serum HDL, with 44.61±7.87 mg/ dL, were found to be non significant (p-value>0.05). Conclusion: Hypothyroid patients positive for anti-TPO antibodies are at risk of experiencing disrupted lipid levels. There was a significant association between positive anti-TPO status and TC and LDL in the present study.