Subclinical Hypothyroidism and its Relationship with Lipid Parameters and Arterial Stiffness in Adult Patients

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences | Vol. 16, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 65–72

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJMMS/160065

Original Research Article

Subclinical Hypothyroidism and its Relationship with Lipid Parameters and Arterial Stiffness in Adult Patients

Chidi O. Okafor¹, Amina J. Hassan², Samuel K. Appiah¹*

¹Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.

²Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Abstract:

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is characterized by elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels despite normal circulating free thyroid hormones, but its impact on macrovascular structures remains under evaluation. This cross-sectional analytical study evaluated the prevalence of atherogenic dyslipidemia and explored its relationship with structural arterial stiffness in adult patients with SCH. We evaluated 150 patients presenting with persistent SCH (defined by TSH between 5.1 and 15.0 mIU/L with normal free T4) and compared them with 150 euthyroid controls matched for age and gender. Cardiovascular risk profiling included serum lipid fractions, while arterial stiffness was evaluated via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) using automated applanation tonometry. The mean TSH of the SCH cohort was 8.4 ± 1.5 mIU/L. Patients with SCH exhibited significantly higher mean levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (3.82 ± 0.45 mmol/L vs. 2.65 ± 0.32 mmol/L in controls, p < 0.01) and elevated serum triglycerides (p < 0.05). Macrovascular mapping revealed that the mean cfPWV was significantly increased in the SCH group (9.8 ± 1.2 m/s) compared to the euthyroid control cohort (7.2 ± 0.8 m/s, p < 0.001), indicating advanced subclinical arterial stiffness. Pearson correlation modeling confirmed a significant positive correlation between serum TSH levels and cfPWV structural values (r = 0.54, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that a serum TSH level > 10 mIU/L was an independent predictor of advanced arterial stiffness (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.8–7.2, p < 0.001). Subclinical hypothyroidism is strongly linked to pro-atherogenic lipid changes and increased arterial stiffness, elevating long-term cardiovascular risks.

Keywords: Subclinical Hypothyroidism, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, Dyslipidemia, Arterial Stiffness, Pulse Wave Velocity, Cardiovascular Risk

Manuscript Timeline: Received: June 12, 2026; Revised: July 20, 2026; Accepted: August 11, 2026; Published: September 15, 2026.

Citation: Okafor CO, Hassan AJ, Appiah SK. Subclinical Hypothyroidism and its Relationship with Lipid Parameters and Arterial Stiffness in Adult Patients. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2026, 16(9): 65–72. DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJMMS/160065

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