The Association Between Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody and Dyslipidemia in Subclinical Hypothyroidism Among the Rural Population of Central India

Objective In this study, we aimed to determine the association between anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody and dyslipidemia in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Materials and methods We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study in the department of medicine at a tertiary care teaching hospital in central India. The study consisted of 150 patients (75 cases and 75 controls) who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results The study showed that serum cholesterol was high in 23.1% of cases in the negative anti-TPO antibody SCH sub-group and 88.7% of cases in the positive anti-TPO antibody SCH sub-group (p<0.001). Serum triglyceride (TG) levels were high in 61.5% of cases in the negative anti-TPO antibody SCH sub-group and 90.3% of cases in the positive anti-TPO antibody SCH sub-group (p=0.008). Serum high-density lipoproteins (HDL) were low in 15.4% of cases in the negative anti-TPO antibody SCH sub-group and 24.2% of cases in the positive anti-TPO antibody SCH sub-group (p=0.490). Serum low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were high in 61.5% of cases in the negative anti-TPO antibody SCH sub-group and 90.3% of cases in the positive anti-TPO antibody SCH sub-group (p=0.008). Serum very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) were high in 84.6% of cases in the negative anti-TPO antibody SCH sub-group and 83.9% of cases in the positive anti-TPO antibody SCH sub-group (p=0.947). Based on our findings, 82.8% of participants with negative anti-TPO antibodies had normal serum LDL levels, while 11.1% of participants with positive anti-TPO antibodies had normal LDL levels (p<0.001). The study also showed that elevated serum LDL was present in 17.2% of participants with negative anti-TPO antibody levels and 88.9% of participants with positive anti-TPO antibodies (p<0.001). The study showed a correlation coefficient of 0.0432 between serum TG and anti-TPO antibody levels (p<0.001). Conclusion Our findings showed an increased incidence of dyslipidemia in SCH patients with positive anti-TPO antibodies. SCH with positive anti-TPO antibody is significantly associated with elevated serum total cholesterol (TC) levels, serum TG levels, and serum LDL levels. Hence, early screening and diagnosis of dyslipidemia are crucial to prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in SCH patients with positive anti-TPO antibodies.