The effects of experimental hyperthyroidism on hemorheology and plasma fibrinogen concentration.

The present study in female rats determined the effects of experimental hyperthyroidsm on hemorheological parameters and fibrinogen concentration. To induce experimental hyperthyroidism L-thyroxine (0.4 mg/100 g fodder) was added to the fodder of the experimental group rats for 20 d. After experimental duration, T3, T4, and TSH levels, plasma and blood viscosity, hematocrit, erythrocyte rigidity index, and plasma fibrinogen concentration values of both the control and the experimental group animals were determined and evaluated. In the experimental group, T3 and T4 levels were higher and TSH levels lower than that of the control rats (respectively, p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). Plasma viscosity and fibrinogen concentration of hyperthyroid group were found significantly higher than controls (p < 0.01). However there was no significant difference found in blood viscosity, hematocrit, and erythrocyte rigidity index between control and experimental groups. Thus, hyperthyroidism induced increased fibrinogen concentration can alter the rheological structure of blood by inducing increase in plasma viscosity.