Thyroid-stimulating hormones in geriatric population and cardiac markers

Objective: The objective of the study is to assess the correlation between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and cardiac markers in old-aged individuals with SCH versus those with normal thyroid function. Material and Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry at Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Bathinda, over a 1-year span from September 2023 to August 2024. Data were extracted from the laboratory database, and subjects were divided into four groups: Group 1: Patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and SCH, Group 2: Patients having MI and normal thyroid function, Group 3: Patients presenting with chest pain (no MI) and SCH, and Group 4: Patients having chest pain (no MI) and normal thyroid function. Results: A significant correlation between TSH and cardiac biomarkers was observed in Group 1 for CPK-MB (r = 0.69, P = 0.001), TnT (r = 0.21, P = 0.03), and BNP (r = 0.66, P = 0.001). In contrast, Group 2 showed no significant correlation: CPK-MB (r = 0.08, P = 0.70), TnT (r = 0.17, P = 0.59), and BNP (r = 0.03, P = 0.65). Group 3 demonstrated a strong correlation between TSH and CPK-MB (r = 0.71, P = 0.03) and TnT (r = 0.86, P = 0.001) but not with BNP (r = 0.14, P = 0.60). No significant correlations were found in Group 4 across any markers: CPK-MB (r = 0.13, P = 0.70), TnT (r = 0.002, P = 0.99), and BNP (r = 0.08, P = 0.57). Conclusion: In elderly individuals with SCH, elevated TSH levels may be associated with a notable rise in cardiac biomarker levels when compared to euthyroid counterparts.