Keywords:
hypothyroidism, red blood cell indices, hemoglobin, thyroid function tests, TFT, PCV, RBC count
Abstract
Background: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder in clinical practice. It is known to present with multiple systemic manifestations. As thyroid hormones play an important role in erythropoiesis; dysfunction usually result in hematological abnormalities.
Aim and Objective: To study the RBC indices in hypothyroidism and to differentiate the pattern of anemia in patients on thyroid supplementation.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional observational study was done among 60 hypothyroid subjects attending to a tertiary care center at Mangalore. Thyroid Function Tests (TFT) and Red Blood Cell indices were obtained and analysed using SPSS software v20.
Results: Among 60 hypothyroid subjects, 54 (90%) were females and 6 (10%) were males. The prevalence of anemia was 60% (n=36); among whom biochemically 14 were euthyroid and 22 had overt hypothyroid status. Among these subjects; 20 had normocytic, 12 had microcytic and 4 had macrocytic anemias. The mean haemoglobin in the study population was 11.91 ± 2.26 g/dl. Statistically significant lower levels of haemoglobin, PCV and RBC count where seen among overt hypothyroids as compared to euthyroids.
Conclusion: Overt hypothyroid subjects had lower hemoglobin, PCV and RBC counts as compared to euthyroids. Early identification and treatment of hypothyroidism could prevent or revert the hematological changes; thus ensuring better quality of life.
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