Serum lipoprotein and apolipoprotein concentrations in patients with hyperthyroidism and the effect of treatment with carbimazole.

Forty patients, 32 women and 8 men, with hyperthyroidism were investigated concerning serum lipoprotein lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations before, during and after treatment with carbimazole to euthyroidism. During the hyperthyroid condition the patients had significantly lower serum concentrations of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The serum lipoprotein triglyceride concentrations were within the normal ranges. During treatment to euthyroidism the low serum concentrations of LDL and HDL cholesterol increased to normal values. LDL and HDL concentrations increased in the female patient group by 46 +/- 12 and 25 +/- 9% and in the male patient group by 50 +/- 12 and 19 +/- 11%, respectively. During treatment serum apolipoprotein B and A-I concentrations increased significantly in females by 58 +/- 9 and 18 +/- 5% and in males by 60 +/- 9 and 13 +/- 8%, respectively.