Thyroid Dysfunction – an Independent Risk Factor for Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults?

Various studies plead for the association between thyroid dysfunction and cerebrovascular disease, not only as a result of subsequent atrial fibrillation and cardioembolic stroke. Among the mechanisms incriminated are the increased adrenergic activity, the elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, the hemodynamic changes, and the coagulopathies found in hyperthyroidism whereas, in hypothyroidism alterations in lipids metabolism, in the arterial muscle structure, and a greater risk for atherosclerosis are described. The question is if thyroid dysfunction increases the risk of acute ischemic stroke.