Study Reveals Excessive Treatment of Patients With Hypothyroidism May Increase Risk of Stroke

According to a new study, in patients taking medication to treat hypothyroidism, overtreatment could lead to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, a frequent heart rhythm disorder badociated with a cerebrovascular accident.

by researchers at the Salt Lake City Intermountain Medical Heart Institute Institute at the American Heart Association's scientific conference in Chicago.

"We know that patients with hypothyroidism have a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, but we have not considered an increased risk. What is considered the normal range? thyroid hormones? These results show that we might want to reconsider what we call normal, "said lead researcher Jeffrey L. Anderson.

For this study, the researchers reviewed the electronic medical records of 174,914 patients treated in health care facilities with free thyroxine (fT4) levels. were registered and who did not take thyroid replacement medication. The researchers then took what was considered a normal range of fT4 rates, divided it into four quartiles, and then reviewed the records of these patients for a current or future diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.

They found a 40% increase in existing atrial fibrillation. for patients in the quartile the highest levels of fT4 compared to patients in the lowest, and a 16% increase in new atrial fibrillation developing over the three years of follow-up.

These results suggest that the optimum optimal range for fT4 should be after Dr. Anderson, [traduction] redesigned and redefined

"Thyroid hormones are badociated with weight loss and an increase in energy, which can cause people to get treated in the upper part of the normal. Are we harming people by exposing them to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, and hence stroke? ", Said Dr. Anderson.

The study also showed that fT4 levels should be measured, as well as thyroid stimulating hormone, most commonly tested in patients with irregular thyroid hormone levels. , but without efficacy in the normal range of refining risk.

"The next step for researchers is to conduct a randomized trial to determine whether targeting a lower threshold to fT4 in patients receiving Hormone replacement therapy for the thyroid reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke, as well as other heart-related problems, such as atherosclerosis, "said Dr. Anderson. [19659002]

Posted on November 11, 2018 at 2:01 pm