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Semin Thromb Hemost 2011; 37(1): 007-010
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1270065
© Thieme Medical Publishers

The Spectrum of Coagulation Abnormalities in Thyroid Disorders

Pier Paolo Vescovi1 , Emmanuel J. Favaloro2 , Giuseppe Lippi3 , Massimo Garofano1 , Martina Montagnana4 , Franco Manzato5 , Massimo Franchini6
  • 1Divisione di Medicina, Ospedale “Carlo Poma,” Mantova, Italy
  • 2Department of Haematology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
  • 3Unità Operativa di Diagnostica Ematochimica, Dipartimento di Patologia e Medicina di Laboratorio, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
  • 4Istituto di Chimica e Microscopia Clinica, Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologico-Biomediche, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
  • 5Laboratorio di Analisi Chimico-Cliniche, Ospedale “Carlo Poma,” Mantova, Italy
  • 6Servizio di Immuno-ematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale, Dipartimento di Patologia e Medicina di Laboratorio, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma; Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
19 January 2011 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The hemostatic balance is a complex system where the delicate equilibrium is regulated by several factors including hormones. A variety of endocrine disorders have been reported to be associated with coagulation abnormalities, ranging from mild laboratory changes to clinically relevant thrombotic or bleeding manifestations. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the main abnormalities of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems associated with thyroid dysfunctions. Overall, although mostly based on uncontrolled studies, data in the literature suggest that patients with hyperthyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism have a hypercoagulative state, whereas patients with overt hypothyroidism have a bleeding tendency.

KEYWORDS

Bleeding - thrombosis - hyperthyroidism - hypothyroidism

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Massimo FranchiniM.D. 

Servizio di Immunoematologia e Trasfusione

Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy

Email: mfranchini@ao.pr.it