Evaluation of serum levels in T3, T4 and TSH in beta-thalassemic patients referred to the Abuzar hospital in Ahwaz

INTRODUCTION: Regarding the functioning of the endocrine system, and especially in the thyroid of patients with thalassemia, multiple studies in different parts of the world have reported conflicting results. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of thyroid hormones and TSH in beta-thalassemic patients in the city of Ahwaz. METHODS: In this matched case-control study, 105 patients in the case group and 105 subjects as controls were randomly selected from clients referred to the Abuzar hospital in 2015–2016. Serum levels of T3, T4, and TSH hormones were measured using ELISA. Data was processed with the SPSS15 software and tested by using independent t-tests and logistic regression. RESULTS: The study results showed that the serum level of T3 hormone did not significantly differ between the two groups (p> 0.05). Whereas the serum level of T4 was lower in the case group, compared to the controls, which was statistically significant (p <0.05). The serum level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the case group was higher than the control group, and this difference was statistically significant (p <0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed significant differences in serum levels of T4 (OR: 0.58) and TSH (OR: 1.57) between the case and control groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypothyroidism is clear in patients with beta thalassemia. With regard to the possible effect of iron on the disorder, a blood transfusion schedule should be performed at intervals, and the desferal injection program should be done regularly to prevent hemochromatosis in patients with thalassemia major due to the effect of accumulation of iron on thyroid function and detection of hypothyroidism. This course of action will prevent incidence of this complication in patients with thalassemia major.