Do Statins Affect Thyroid Volume and Nodule Size in Patients with Hyperlipidemia in a Mildly to Moderately Iodine-Deficient Region? A Prospective Study

The objective of this study was to assess the anti-proliferative pleiotropic effects of statins on thyroid function, volume and nodularity. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and six hyperlipidemic patients were included in this prospective study. Sixty nine patients in the statin groups received atorvastatin (16 patients received 10 mg, 18 received 20 mg) or rosuvastatin (20 patients received 10 mg, 15 received 20 mg); 37 patients in the control group assessed as not requiring drugs only made lifestyle changes. All patients were evaluated for lipid variables [total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)], and thyroid function and structure using ultrasonography on admission and 6 months later. Results: After 6 months, no differences in thyroid function, thyroid volume, number of thyroid nodules or nodule size were observed in statin and control groups. In subgroup analysis, total thyroid volume decreased more in patients receiving 20 mg of rosuvastatin than that in the control group (P
Source: Medical Principles and Practice - Category: Internal Medicine Source Type: research