Thyroid hormones: an important link in development of diabetic complications

Background and Aim: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic disorders with increasing prevalence. Associated thyroid dysfunction is 2.2-17% with women more frequently affected. Subclinical hypothyroidism is an important risk factor in development of complications of diabetes. The aim of the study was to evaluate thyroid profile in diabetics with and without complications and find a correlation if any amongst the complications and levels of thyroid hormones. Design and Methods: In this study apart from the base line biochemical parameters fT3, fT4 and TSH were estimated in 200 diabetic individuals which included both diabetics with complications and diabetics without complications. 100 individuals were recruited to serve as controls. Statistical analysis: Data collected is presented as mean± S.D. student t test was used to compare means and Pearson’s coefficient of correlation was calculated to study the correlation between different parameters. Results: Sub clinical hypothyroidism is prevalent in diabetic complications like Nephropathy, CAD and Hypertension. Levels of fT3 are negatively correlated with fasting plasma glucose. Levels of fT4 and TSH correlated positively with LDL and VLDL and negatively with HDL Conclusions: Prevalence of sub clinical hypothyroidism is an important risk factor in development of diabetic complications. A small deviation from the normal levels of TSH should be taken into consideration and treated accordingly so as to prevent complications of diabetes.