Thyroid Abnormalities in Relation to Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Quetta, Balochistan

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is responsible for a large number of deaths worldwide, and diabetic patients are at risk of having other immune diseases including thyroid abnormalities. The current study, undertaken in collaboration with Shaikh Khalifa-Bin-Zayed Hospital Quetta, investigates the relation of thyroid abnormalities in 224 DM (both type 1 and type 2) patients. The parameters of age, duration of diabetes and type of treatment were measured. Venous blood was taken to investigate the thyroid profiles. Out of 224 patients examined, 67.85% showed the normal thyroid profile and thyroid abnormalities were seen in 32.15% of subjects. There were 10 patients with clinical hypothyroidism, 54 patients had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 8 patients had clinical hyperthyroidism. No case with subclinical hyperthyroidism was investigated. The female population (58.93% of the study) had higher risk of developing thyroid abnormality as compared to males. Out of 32.15% patients with thyroid abnormalities, 67% were female. Moreover, 41% of type 1 diabetic patients had thyroid abnormalities as compared to 31% of type 2 diabetic patients, indicating that type 1 diabetics are more prone to develop thyroid abnormalities. According to our data diabetics are more prone to develop thyroid abnormalities. Regular screening of the thyroid profile is recommended for timely diagnosis of thyroid abnormalities in diabetics to lessen the risk of development associated co-morbidities.