Bertone-Johnson ER, et al. - This article was written with the objective to evaluate the relationship of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol levels with carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT). It was concluded that the high postmenopausal FSH levels were related to a lower atherosclerotic burden, independent of estradiol, adiposity, and other factors. These outcomes warrant replication and the further exploration of potential underlying mechanisms.

• For this research, they conducted a Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (Kuopio, Finland).
• Total 587 postmenopausal participants in this study.
• Participants were aged 53-73 years and not utilizing hormone therapy at baseline (1998-2001).
• Mean IMT was measured through high-resolution ultrasonography.
• They seen a significant inverse relationship between FSH levels and IMT.
• Mean IMTs among women in quartiles 1-4 of FSH were 0.94 mm, 0.91 mm, 0.87 mm, and 0.85 mm, respectively (P-trend < 0.001).
• After adjustment for age, estradiol, testosterone, body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2), lipids, and other factors, FSH levels remained significantly connected with IMT (regression coefficients for quartiles 2-4 vs. quartile 1 were-0.038, -0.045, and -0.062, respectively; P-trend = 0.01).
• Findings were strongest in women aged 64-73 years (P-trend = 0.006) and did not differ by body mass index.
• In contrast, estradiol levels were not associated with IMT.