title: Effect of iron overload on endocrinopathies in patients with beta-thalassaemia major and intermedia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Iron overload is a major problem in patients with b-thalassemia major, and it has many structural and metabolic consequences. In this study, we aimed to consider the prevalence of endocrine abnormalities in patients with β-thalassemia major and thalassemia intermedia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We ordered following tests for consideration endocrine abnormalities: fasting plasma glucose, oral glucose tolerance, iron, total iron binding capacity, ferritin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), parathyroid hormone levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to our study including 70 patients with thalassemia major, 7 (10%) had diabetes, 5 (7.1%) had impaired glucose tolerance, 9 (12.8%) had hypothyroidism, 2 (2.8%) had hypoparathyroidism, 2 (2.8%) had hyperparathyroidism. Of 22 patients with thalassemia intermedia, 1 (4.5%) had diabetes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings reinforce the importance of regular follow-up of patients with b-thalassemia major and thalassemia intermedia for early detection and management of associated complications. In this way, the prevalence of endocrine abnormalities can be decreased in future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aysegul Ugur
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Kurtoglu
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kurtoglu
authors.forename: A Kamil
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Temizkan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000209:etiology; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000209:etiology; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron; D013974:Thyroxine