Researchers have found a strong link existing between thyroid function and atrial fibrillation (AF), an abnormal heart beat that increases risk of stroke and heart diseases.

‘Patients with genetically-determined variations in thyroid hormones, despite having physiologically accepted ‘normal’ range are more susceptible to AF risk.’

Previous observational studies have found that subclinical hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid which does not meet the clinical threshold for diagnosis or treatment, nevertheless can increase the risk of AF. But whether to treat subclinical hypo- or hyperthyroidism to reduce AF risk remains a matter of debate in the medical community. 




The current study, published today in the journal JAMA Cardiology, found that genetically determined variations in thyroid function, even those which fall within a physiologically accepted "normal" range, still can increase the risk for AF.
The decision to treat subclinical thyroid disease should account for this new evidence, as "antithyroid medications to treat hyperthyroidism may reduce AF risk (while) thyroid hormone replacement for hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) may increase AF risk," the researchers concluded.
Source-Eurekalert