Magnitude and Determinants of Hypothyroidism among Dyslipidemic Patients in Bangladesh: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Dyslipidemia is one of the most commonly experienced metabolic disorders, and it is strongly related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Hypothyroidism is a clinical syndrome resulting from a deficiency of thyroid hormones. Several studies from developed countries provide evidence that the rate of hypothyroidism in dyslipidemic patients is higher, but there is a scarcity of data from Bangladesh. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of hypothyroidism in the adult dyslipidemic Bangladeshi population. Method: We examined the thyroid function of outpatients who were advised for fasting lipid profile and who were found to be dyslipidemic at a tertiary care hospital in Savar, Bangladesh, by a cross-sectional study conducted from July 2016 to June 2017. A total of 200 outpatients aged 20–65 years were enrolled in this study. A standard questionnaire was used to take record of sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral features. Body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure were examined with standard procedures. Biochemical parameters, such as fasting lipid profile and thyroid function markers, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4), were determined using standard assay methods. A p value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Among the participants, 56% were male and 44% were female. 11.5% of the dyslipidemic subjects had hypothyroidism, among which 9.5% had subclinical hypothyroidism and only 2% had overt hypothyroidism. We also found that serum mean ± SD levels of TSH were significantly higher in the obese group of patients (p = 0.02). There was a significantly positive association of BMI and diastolic blood pressure with serum levels of TSH (p < 0.01) and fT4 (p = 0.02), respectively. Conclusion: Dyslipidemic patients should have more regular checkups. The findings of this study might be helpful in setting up the clinical management of dyslipidemias with or without normal thyroid function.