Variations in Hematological Indices in Patients with Thyroid Dysfunction

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid hormones influence the haematological indices under physiological conditions. The exact cause of anemia in thyroid dysfunction is not clearly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the haematological parameters in hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and the mechanisms underlying it. Material and methods: The study was performed on 69 cases of clinical hypothyroidism, 15 cases of clinical hyperthyroidism, 6 cases of subclinical hypothyroidism and 99 healthy individuals selected as the control group. Patients were grouped as hypothyroid and hyperthyroid based on the TSH measurements (0.3-5.5µIU/mL) by Chemiluminescence method. Based on TSH levels (<0.3µIU/mL), patients were categorized as hyperthyroidism and TSH levels (>5.5µIU/ mL) as hypothyroidism. Hemoglobin and complete blood count which includes PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW were estimated. The results were analysed by SPSS software. Results: Analysis of the data obtained showed statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in Hb, PCV, RDW between thyroid cases and controls. The difference was not significant (p>0.05) for MCV, MCH and MCHC. Conclusion: Thyroid hormones have to be evaluated in cases of refractory anemia not responding to iron supplementation.