title: Thyroid dysfunction in multi-transfused iron loaded thalassemia patients.
abstract: Seventy-two transfusion-dependent iron loaded thalassemia patients were investigated for thyroid dysfunction by estimating circulating thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) and basal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). They were also evaluated for their liver function (biochemically) and iron overload by estimating serum ferritin. Thyroid failure (hypothyroidism) was documented in 14 patients (19.4%). In all, 3 groups were seen, i.e. Group 1: Normal T4, T3, TSH (58 patients: 80.6%); Group 2: Compensated hypothyroidism characterized by normal T4, T3 and raised TSH (9 patients: 12.5%); Group 3: Decompensated hypothyroidism characterized by decreased T4 and increased TSH (5 patients: 6.9%). Interestingly, impaired thyroid function could not be correlated with age, amount of blood transfused, liver dysfunction or degree of iron overload. It is postulated that an inter-play between chronic hypoxia, liver dysfunction and iron overload may be responsible for the thyroid damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, L.T.M.G. Hospital, Sion, Bombay.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vishwanathan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rajadhyaksha
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bhave
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Dube
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Billa
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malkan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bajan
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D015913:Chelation Therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D007223:Infant; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007501:Iron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D007501:Iron