Overt and subclinical hypothyroidism and atherosclerotic arteriopathy of the lower limbs (clinical and subclinical).

Hypothyroidism promotes both significant diastolic hypertension and hypercholesterolemia and, as a consequence, their combination has been suggested to accelerate atherosclerosis. Prevalence of elevated LDL-cholesterol is significantly increased not only in overt hypothyroidism, but also in subclinical hypothyroidism. Serum TSH will be determined in all the patients, as a first line test and only the patients with TSH values over 5 microU/ml will be further investigated: serum T4, FT4 and antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin antibodies. In the study group were not included severe nonthyroid illness, major depression, untreated Addison's disease and the patients using some drugs that interfere with serum TSH level.