Association between Hyperthyroidism and Thromboembolism: A Retrospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND: Thyroid gland diseases are a common health problem worldwide. Increase of thyroid gland hormones can cause numerous conditions that range from mild cases to life-threatening diseases. Hyperthyroidism is not a common risk factor for venous thrombosis (VT), many studies found a relation between hyperthyroidism and thromboembolism. OBJECTIVES: We sought to detect any changes in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and free T4 value associated with the occurrence of Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and cerebral VT. METHODOLOGY: An observational retrospective review of outpatients’ records in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh from January 2018 to March 2020 includes all patients with hyperthyroidism, patients who are bedridden, recent surgeries, and those on oral contraceptives pills or on anticoagulants were excluded from the study. All symptomatic VT cases are objectively confirmed. RESULTS: Three hundred patients were recognized, of whom most were female (80%), whereas (20%) were male, mean age in identified patients was (42.3 ± 14.5 years; range, 18–80 years). Of all patients, 3 (1%) patients had DVTs, equally 3 (1%) patients had PE, and 2 (0.7%) patients had cerebral embolism. TSH level has a significant association with the overall risk of DVT, PE, and cerebral embolism. In the FT(4) level, there was a significant association with the risk of DVT and PE but not with cerebral embolism. CONCLUSIONS: The literature indicates a significantly associated between the development of VT and hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, the data support that hyperthyroidism is considered an additional risk factor for VT.