This mainstream report found that one year of Levothyroxine treatment does not fully restore endothelial function. This is important for two reasons:
1. Mainstream is beginning to acknowledge that low thyroid functioning contributes to heart disease.
2. Also I suggest that Heart Disease is multifactorial and, therefore, MONOTHERAPY will often fail.

Many would feel that the type of thyroid replacement is a partial explanation but I feel that we would need to look at Iodine to have provided a better outcome. But all the elements of my FIGHT program are relevant for those seeking OPTIMAL improvement in cardiac or endothelial function. There is always low levels of some nutrients (F), take your pick from Vit D to Magnesium. There will always be the high probability of CMV infection (I). And, probably some Genetic issues with some epigenetic changes increasing the need for methylation support including the active forms of Folic Acid (G). Then there will always be some element of heavy metals (H: Lead, etc.) and there will be Toxins in everyone that include endocrine disruptors and neurotoxins (T)!

Thus this report should help prove the need for broadly based approaches in dealing with chronic illness such as endothelial dysfunction leading to atherosclerosis.

Garry F Gordon MD,DO,MD(H)
President, Gordon Research Institute
http://www.gordonresearch.com

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/cend/2009/00000070/00000006/art00017

Hypothyroidism is associated with signs of endothelial dysfunction despite 1-year replacement therapy with levothyroxine

Authors: Clausen, P.; Mersebach, H.; Nielsen, B.; Feldt-Rasmussen, B.; Feldt-Rasmussen, U.

Source: Clinical Endocrinology, Volume 70, Number 6, June 2009 , pp. 932-937(6)
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Abstract:
 Summary Objective
Hypothyroidism is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk, not fully explained by classical risk factors. Instead, endothelial dysfunction may link hypothyroidism to atherosclerosis. The effect of levothyroxine substitution on endothelial function has been sparsely studied and the results are unclear. This study tested endothelial function as estimated by concomitant measurements of endothelial dependent vascular dilatory capacity and plasma concentration of von Willebrand factor antigen in patients with hypothyroidism and further examined  the impact of subsequent levothyroxine substitution.

Design and patients
Sixteen consecutive patients (13 women, 3 men, aged 46 ± 11 years) with hypothyroidism were included and compared to 16 matched healthy controls (13 women, 3 men, aged 49 ± 11 years). Patients with hypothyroidism were reexamined  after 3, 6 and 12 months of levothyroxine substitution.

Measurements
Dilatory responses of the brachial artery to post-ischaemic increased blood flow (endothelium-dependent flow-associated dilatation) and to nitroglycerin (endothelium-independent nitroglycerin induced dilatation) were measured by ultrasound. Plasma concentrations of von Willebrand factor antigen  were measured by ELISA.

Results
Flow-associated dilatation was impaired in patients with hypothyroidism as compared to controls (102•7 ± 3•6 vs. 105•6 ± 3•8%, P = 0•04) whereas no differences in plasma concentration of von Willebrand factor antigen were found. One year levothyroxine substitution did not improve flow-associated dilatation and was associated with an increase of the plasma von Willebrand factor antigen concentration.

Conclusions
Hypothyroid patients are characterized by endothelial dysfunction sustained despite long-term levothyroxine substitution and potentially increasing the risk of atherosclerosis. Different estimates of endothelial dysfunction seem unequally influenced by hypothyroidism.

Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03410.x