Effect of thyroid hormones on serum calcium and phosphorous

Abstract

Introduction: Calcium and phosphorous are the two important minerals whose abnormalities are most ignored in the developing countries. The impact of calcium abnormalities ranges from abdominal pain, muscle spasms, psychiatric disorders to cardiac arrest. Other than the known regulators of calcium and phosphorous, thyroid hormones may affect the levels of calcium and phosphorous. The aim of our study is to estimate serum calcium, phosphorous and thyroid profile and to see the effect of thyroid hormones on serum calcium and phosphorous. Materials and Methods: 40 hyperthyroid and 40 hypothyroid patients were taken as cases. 40 healthy individuals were taken as controls. Thyroid profile, serum calcium and phosphorous were estimated in cases and controls. Serum calcium and phosphorous levels were compared with thyroid hormones among cases and controls. Correlation of thyroid hormones with serum calcium and phosphorous were done. Result: The mean serum calcium and phosphorous levels in hyperthyroid patients are 12.7±0.89 mg/dl and 5.1±0.68 mg/dl respectively which are increased (p value < 0.05) compared to controls. The mean serum calcium and phosphorous levels are 6.9 ± 0.93 mg/dl and 2.3 ± 1.1 mg/dl respectively in hypothyroid patients which are decreased (p value <0.05) compare to controls. Strong correlations of all thyroid hormones with serum calcium and phosphorous in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism is seen (p value <0.05). Conclusion: Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism may lead to hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia respectively, which are the cause of may disorders and disabilities. The concentration of serum calcium and phosphorous should be checked regularly in those patients.