Evaluation of the interrelationship between selected blood components and thyroid physiology in Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of fatty plaques in arterial walls, leading to luminal narrowing and reduced blood flow. Because thyroid function regulates lipid metabolism and inflammatory pathways, thyroid status and circulating inflammatory markers are important indicators of atherosclerotic risk. This study examined the relationship between thyroid function and blood parameters in atherosclerosis, evaluated the effect of thyroid dysfunction on disease development, and considered its implications for prevention and treatment. The study enrolled 140 participants divided into three groups: a control group (n = 40 healthy individuals), a conservative-treatment group (n = 50 patients receiving conservative therapy for atherosclerosis), and an atherosclerosis group (n = 50 patients taking anticoagulant drugs). Thyroid hormones, including total thyroxine (TT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and hematologic/biochemical parameters (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, urea, creatinine) were measured in all participants. Compared with controls, the conservative-treatment and atherosclerosis groups showed significantly lower TT4, TT3, fT4, and fT3, along with higher TSH. In some patients, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were decreased, while urea and creatinine were increased. These findings indicate an association between atherosclerosis and thyroid dysfunction, characterized by reduced thyroid hormone levels with elevated TSH, and suggest that atherosclerosis also affects blood components and renal function. These results may inform strategies for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.