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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2018; 126(05): 321-326
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-120342
Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Effect of Hypolipidemic Agents on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Treated with Levothyroxine and Selenomethionine

Robert Krysiak
1   Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
,
Witold Szkróbka
1   Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
,
Bogusław Okopień
1   Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 22 August 2017
revised 21 September 2017

accepted 26 September 2017

Publication Date:
08 November 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Background Levothyroxine and selenomethionine were found to reduce thyroid antibody titers in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The same effect was produced by intensive statin therapy. The aim of the present study was to assess whether hypolipidemic agents modulate the impact of thyroid hormone supplementation and selenomethionine on thyroid autoimmunity.

Methods The study included 62 women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis treated for at least 6 months with levothyroxine and selenomethionine. On the basis of plasma lipids, women were divided into three groups: women with isolated hypercholesterolemia (group A; n=20), women with isolated hypertriglyceridemia (group B; n=17), and women with normal plasma lipids (group C; n=25). Group A were then treated with atorvastatin (20 mg daily), while group B received micronized fenofibrate (200 mg daily). Serum titers of thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies, as well as serum levels of thyrotropin, free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine were measured at the beginning of the study and 6 months later.

Results Fenofibrate decreased triglycerides and increased HDL cholesterol, while simvastatin decreased total and LDL cholesterol. Fenofibrate reduced titers of thyroid peroxidase and, to a lesser extent, thyroglobulin antibodies. Atorvastatin tended to increase thyroid peroxidase antibodies. No changes in thyrotropin, free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine were observed in any treatment group. Fenofibrate-induced changes in thyroid antibody titers correlated with baseline antibody titers, as well as with treatment-induced changes in HDL cholesterol and insulin sensitivity.

Conclusions The obtained results indicate that only fibrates may potentiate the effect of selenomethionine and levothyroxine on thyroid autoimmunity in women.

Key words

fibrates - hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis - levothyroxine - statins - thyroiditis
 

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