How the lipid status is affected by overt hypothyroidism is well known, and arguably the same ought to happen, only to a lesser extent, in subclinical hypothyroidism.22 The result of the present study, and previous ones, may suggest this.12,21 TSH induces hepatic synthesis of cholesterol,23 while thyroid hormones increase clearance of LDL,23,24 decrease intestinal absorption of cholesterol,25 affect the metabolism of HDL26 and lower HDL.27 Thus, we consider it a reasonable interpretation that elevated TSH could potentially explain the lipid alterations seen in this and other similar studies. This evidence concerns the gene TG and hypothyroidism.