| Canaris et al., CO, USA, report screening of serum TSH, serum lipids and symptoms of thyroid disease in 25.862 participants from Colorado. The prevalence of an elevated TSH was 9.5% and of a low TSH 2.2%. Six percent of the population was using thyroid medication and 40% of these had an abnormal TSH level; 18.4% elevated and 21.6% lowered. Total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides increased gradually as thyroid function declined. In subjects with serum TSH between 5 and 10 ľU/ml total and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher than in controls. Also symptoms scores discriminated between hypothyroid and euthyroid individuals. (Comment: Distressing is again that almost half of patients that are using thyroid hormone are inadequately treated according to their abnormal serum TSH values. This, in combination with an about 10% prevalence of abnormal TSH values in an unselected population indicates that thyroid diseases are still a major problem, even in a highly industrialized and technically developed country.) |
