Can subclinical hypothyroidism explain some sudden deaths due to pulmonary embolism without evident risk factors?

ABSTRACT

Thyroid pathology is rarely involved in the pathogenesis of sudden death in young people, and usually, when this is the case, is associated with acute changes of thyroid hormone blood levels. Three main thyroid causes of sudden death are known and used in tanathologic chains thyrotoxicosis, myxedematous coma and, as of recently, lymphocytic thyroid infiltration. Coagulation disorders associated with thyroid disease are usually mild and not associated with sudden death. There are some studies showing an increased risk for unprovoked deep venous thrombosis in patients with hypothyroidism but there is none, to our knowledge, showing a correlation between hypothyroidism, deep venous thrombosis and sudden death. Our article suggests that subclinical hypothyroidism can lead to coagulation disorders and deep venous thrombosis which can explain some cases of sudden death associated with pulmonary embolism without other significant risk factors.