Thyroid Dysfunction in Beta-Thalassemia Major: Is It Related to Autoimmunity or Iron Overload?

Burcu Akıncı; Fatma Demir Yenigurbuz; Ala Üstyol; Deniz Ökdemir

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1097646

EN

Thyroid Dysfunction in Beta-Thalassemia Major: Is It Related to Autoimmunity or Iron Overload?

Abstract

Purpose: Thyroid dysfunction is an important complication of Beta-Thalassemia major (β-TM). The reason may be iron overload or autoimmunity. Methods: In this study, 129 patients with β-TM were included. Free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroid peroxidase, anti-thyroglobulin, and ferritin levels were measured. As the control group, 49 patients who applied to the hospital and requested TSH and fT4 were randomly selected. Both groups were compared in terms of thyroid dysfunction. Also, patients with thyroid dysfunction in the β-TM group were investigated in terms of underlying hyperferritinemia and autoimmune susceptibility. Results: In the β-TM group, overt and subclinical hypothyroidism were detected in 11 (8.5%) and three patients (2.4%), respectively. Ferritin levels of those with hypothyroidism were higher than the patients with normal thyroid dysfunction (p=0.006, z=-2.734). Anti-thyroid antibodies were not elevated in any of the patients with thyroid dysfunction. One (2%) patient had central hypothyroidism in the control group, and six (12.2%) patients had subclinical hypothyroidism. The number of overt hypothyroidism in thalassemia cases was statistically higher than in the control group (p=0.002). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that autoimmunity may not pose a risk factor for the development of hypothyroidism in β-TM patients, rather high ferritin levels may be a reason.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Paediatrics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Burcu Akıncı ^*
0000-0001-6026-4786
Türkiye

Fatma Demir Yenigurbuz
0000-0001-8692-2767
Türkiye

Ala Üstyol
0000-0001-7903-7356
Türkiye

Deniz Ökdemir
0000-0003-3618-8167
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

June 5, 2023

Publication Date

July 10, 2023

Submission Date

April 2, 2022

Acceptance Date

April 10, 2023

Published in Issue

Year 2023 Volume: 14 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1097646

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA57ZE24WM

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RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Akıncı B, Demir Yenigurbuz F, Üstyol A, Ökdemir D (July 1, 2023) Thyroid Dysfunction in Beta-Thalassemia Major: Is It Related to Autoimmunity or Iron Overload? Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 14 3 377–382.

Öz

Thyroid Dysfunction in Beta-Thalassemia Major: Is It Related to Autoimmunity or Iron Overload?

Abstract

Keywords

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite