ON SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY HEART-DISEASE

A total of 187 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were examine d. Out of them 60% were found as having subclinical hypothyroidism. Th e serum levels of T3 were significantly lower, particularly in arrhyth mic CHD, the level of T4 was normal and even increased, thus making th e concentrations of TTG normal, i.e. the T3-low-syndrome was detected. Hypothyroidism in CHD patients decreased tissue oxygen consumption, b y reducing the incidence of acute myocardial infarction, heart failure , the atherosclerotic process becoming disseminated and progressive. C ordarone therapy was found to promote the progression of T3-hypothyroi dism, i.e' in CHD patients with suspected hypothyroidism, the drugs in hibiting the thyroidal function should not be used. T3-Hypothyroidism should be corrected with adequate doses of triiodothyronine in CHD pat ients. The use of thyroxine is ineffective as the conversion of T4 to T3 is impaired in the body.