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Does Subclinical Hypothyroidism Cause Diastolic Heart Failure?

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Does Subclinical Hypothyroidism Cause Diastolic Heart Failure?

_http://heartdisease.about.com/b/2008/09/25/does-subclinical-hypothyroidism-ca

use-diastolic-heart-failure.htm_

(http://heartdisease.about.com/b/2008/09/25/does-subclinical-hypothyroidism-caus\

e-diastolic-heart-failure.htm)

 

A new study appearing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology

suggests that individuals whose thyroid tests indicate they have subclinical

hypothyroidism are at an increased risk of developing heart failure over the

next several years. Furthermore, it appears that the heart failure they

develop is likely to be diastolic heart failure.

 

Subclinical hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is

having trouble producing enough thyroid hormone, so the thyroid gland requires

higher levels of " thyroid stimulating hormone " (TSH - the hormone that " whips "

the thyroid gland into doing its work). In patients with subclinical

hypothyroidism, the actual amount of thyroid hormone in the blood is normal -

but

levels of TSH are elevated. Previous studies have suggested that patients with

subclinical hypothyroidism have a higher risk of heart disease. What is new

about this latest study is that it identifies subclinical hypothyroidism as a

potentially important cause of diastolic heart failure.

 

In diastolic heart failure, the pumping function of the heart is largely

normal, but the ability of the heart to fill with blood before it pumps is

impaired. Doctors have been puzzled about the cause of diastolic heart failure.

The possibility that subclinical hypothyroidism may cause diastolic heart

failure is an attractive one. First, it turns out that the kind of people who

develop diastolic heart failure - middle aged or older women - are the same

kind

who tend to develop subclinical hypothyroidism. And second, subclinical

hypothyroidism is a treatable condition. (It is treated the same way that

" clinical " hypothyroidism is treated - with thyroid replacement hormone pills.)

 

At this point, it is not proven that subclinical hypothyroidism causes heart

disease. However, the evidence grows ever stronger. Women whose TSH levels

are 10.0 mIU/L or higher should certainly discuss with their doctors whether

treatment is in order.

 

You can read more about the thyroid and heart disease here.

Cardiac Effects of Thyroid Disease

_http://heartdisease.about.com/od/lesscommonheartproblems/a/thyroidheart.htm_

(http://heartdisease.about.com/od/lesscommonheartproblems/a/thyroidheart.htm)

 

You can read more about thyroid disease here.

_http://thyroid.about.com/_ (http://thyroid.about.com/)

 

Sources:

 

Rodondi N, Bauer DC, Cappola AR, et al. Subclinical thyroid dysfunction,

cardiac function and the risk of heart failure. The Cardiovascular

 

(http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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