AACE MENA 2025-Thyroid Autoimmunity and Cardiovascular Risk: Beyond Hypothyroidism

Thyroid Autoimmunity and Cardiovascular Risk: Beyond Hypothyroidism

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Mona's lecture explores the cardiovascular risks associated with thyroid autoimmunity, particularly Hashimoto's thyroiditis, even when thyroid hormone levels are normal (euthyroid). Research shows that thyroid autoimmunity correlates with early markers of atherosclerosis such as endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and increased carotid intima-media thickness. It is also linked to cardiac autonomic dysfunction, myocardial impairment, elevated pulmonary artery pressure, and clinical events like variant angina and ischemic strokes. Proposed mechanisms include chronic low-grade inflammation, atherogenic dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, pro-thrombotic states, oxidative stress, and vitamin D deficiency. These factors collectively contribute to cardiovascular burden in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis independent of hypothyroidism. Dr. Mona emphasizes the need for further research to clarify these mechanisms and to develop targeted treatments, such as thyroid hormone replacement, anti-inflammatory agents, statins, antioxidants, or vitamin D supplementation, to mitigate cardiovascular risk in this population.

Keywords

Hashimoto's thyroiditis

cardiovascular risk

thyroid autoimmunity

atherosclerosis markers

cardiac autonomic dysfunction