Estimating asymmetric dimethylarginine levels as a cardiovascular risk factor in hyperthyroid patients

Introduction: Thyroid diseases may cause endothelial disfunction. ADMA levels in patients with thyroid disfunction were analysed by few studies. In this study, we aimed to compare ADMA levels in patients with hyperthyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism and who don?t have any cardiovascular risk markers like diabetes, chronic renal failure with the patients without thyroid disease.Materials and methods: The study was conducted in Duzce University Medical Faculty Cardiology Department in 2010. The study group consisted of patients with hyperthyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism The patients with renal failure, diabetes and severe hypertension were excluded.Results: Mean ADMA level as 1.04 ± 0.43 mol/l in the hyperthyroid group and 0.68 ± 0.21 mikro mol/l in the control group. P value was found < 0.001 which was significant. Subgroup analyses after dividing the patients into three groups as graves, multinodular goiter and thyroiditis. Did not reveal any significant differences.Conclusion: Hyperthyroidism increases the level of ADMA beyond its cause. The increase of ADMA levels and cardiovascular risk in patients with hyperthyroidism are independent of BMI, CRP and lipid parameters and are more effective than them. The increase in ADMA levels in hyperthyroidism seems to be free from well-known cardiovascular disease risk factors. It is thought that endothelial disfunction has an important role in hyperthyroid patients, beyond the cardiovascular disease risk factors.