Thyroid function in beta-thalassemic children receiving hypertransfusions with suboptimal iron-chelating therapy.
A cross-sectional study of thyroid function, free thyroxine (FT) and thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations, was carried out in 51 transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemic patients receiving suboptimal iron-chelating therapy. Nine patients had normal FT4 levels with elevated TSH levels (5.9-15.6 mLU/L), consistent with the diagnosis of compensated primary hypothyroidism and giving a prevalence of abnormal thyroid function of 17.6%. All patients with abnormal thyroid function had negative thyroid antibodies. No particular risk factor for abnormal thyroid function could be identified. Of the nine patients with compensated primary hypothyroidism, one patient showed a further increase in TSH level after 1 year of follow-up. The results of the present study emphasize the importance of thyroid function monitoring in hypertransfused beta-thalassemic patients.
Jaruratanasirikul
Somchit
S
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand. somchit.j@psu.ac.th
Wongcharnchailert
Malai
M
Laosombat
Vichai
V
Sangsupavanich
Pasuree
P
Leetanaporn
Kalaya
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000032:analysis*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000032:analysis*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy
D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine