Evaluation of Thyroid Function, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), and Lipid Profile in Newly Diagnosed Hypothyroid Adults: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Hypothyroidism is associated with metabolic and inflammatory disturbances that contribute to cardiovascular risk. This study aims to evaluate thyroid function, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and lipid profile alterations in newly diagnosed hypothyroid adults and compare them with euthyroid controls. A case-control study was conducted on 150 newly diagnosed hypothyroid patients and 150 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Thyroid function tests, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4), along with serum hs-CRP and lipid parameters, were analyzed. The results demonstrated significantly higher TSH and lower FT4 levels in the hypothyroid group, accompanied by elevated hs-CRP, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were lower in hypothyroid patients compared to controls. A positive correlation was observed between TSH and hs-CRP levels, indicating an inflammatory component in hypothyroidism. The study concludes that newly diagnosed hypothyroid individuals exhibit significant lipid and inflammatory dysregulation, emphasizing the need for early cardiovascular risk assessment. Further research is required to determine the impact of thyroid hormone replacement on these metabolic parameters.