The effect of levothyroxine replacement therapy on diastolic heart function in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of levothyroxine (L-T4) replacement therapy on diastolic heart function in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). METHODS. We observed 49 women with SCH throughout the year including 14 patients without treatment (group 1) and 35 patients treated with L-T4 (group 2). At baseline and after a year tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and echocardiography were performed. RESULTS. Among patients treated with L-T4, the number of segments with diastolic dysfunction in both ventricles as well as em/am ratio became significantly better (p<0.05) but there was no progress in other parameters (p>0.05). In group 1, no any statistically significant changes in these indices were detected. CONCLUSION. Among SCH patients, L-T4 replacement may improve global and segmental diastolic function of both ventricles, especially of the left one, without significant impact on its size and myocardial contractility.