Thyroid Dysfunction and Hemostasis: An Issue Still Unresolved

Massimo Franchini; Martina Montagnana; Franco Manzato; Pier Paolo Vescovi

doi:10.1055/s-0029-1222607

Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Table of Contents

Semin Thromb Hemost 2009; 35(3): 288-294
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1222607

Thyroid Dysfunction and Hemostasis: An Issue Still Unresolved

Massimo Franchini¹ , Martina Montagnana² , Franco Manzato³ , Pier Paolo Vescovi⁴

¹Servizio di Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale, Dipartimento di Patologia e Medicina di Laboratorio, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
²Sezione di Chimica Clinica, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Morfologiche, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
³Laboratorio di Patologia Clinica, Ospedale “Carlo Poma,” Mantova, Italy
⁴Dipartimento di Medicina, Struttura Complessa di Medicina Interna, Ospedale “Carlo Poma,” Mantova, Italy

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Thyroid hormones exert various effects on the hemostatic system, as documented by the fact that subclinical or overt thyroid dysfunctions may be associated with hypocoagulable or hypercoagulable states. In this review, the hemostatic balance (primary hemostasis, coagulation factors, and fibrinolytic system) in different thyroid disorders is analyzed from a laboratory, pathogenic, and clinical point of view. Although limited, the published studies suggest that patients with hyperthyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism have an increased thrombotic risk, whereas patients with overt hypothyroidism have a bleeding tendency. Further trials on larger series of patients are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms regulating the complex interaction between thyroid disorders and hemostasis.

KEYWORDS

Thyroid - hemostasis - bleeding - thrombosis - hypothyroidism - hyperthyroidism

Full Text

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Dr. Massimo FranchiniM.D.

Servizio di Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale, Dipartimento di Patologia e Medicina di Laboratorio

Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Via Gramsci, 14; 37124, Parma; Italy

Email: massimo.franchini@azosp.vr.it