Levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in subclinical hyperthyroidism.

We aimed to determine whether patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism (SH) are subject to oxidative stress. Twenty-two women and 8 men having endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism for a duration of at least 6 months, and 21 women and 9 men healthy controls were included in this study. We measured the level of plasma malondialdehyde, as one of the lipid peroxidation markers, and the activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, which is an antioxidant enzyme. The activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and plasma malondialdehyde levels were found to be significantly higher in subjects with subclinical hyperthyroidism than the control group (P < .01). The results of this study suggest that oxidative stress and antioxidative response could be increased in patients having subclinical hyperthyroidism.