Study of Thyroid gland function and serum circulating ferritin in Beta- thalassemia Major female patients in Tikrit city

Abstract

Beta-thalassemia probably is the most common single gene disorder causing a major genetic health problem in the world. People of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, African, and Southeast Asian descent are at higher risk of carrying the genes for thalassaemia. Endocrine complications  in Thalassaemia  Major  Patients  with  multi-transfused Thalassaemia  Major develop severe endocrine complications. The aim of the study is to determine the relation between  serum  circulating  ferritin and  thyroid  gland  function  in  Thalassemic  patients. Patients & methods:- A cross sectional study was conducted on β-thalassaemia major patients whom attended the thalassaemia center in Tikrit Teaching Hospital (TTH) from beginning of January to the mid of June 2014. Fifty six β- thalassemia major female patients aged 10 to 16 were participated in the study. Thirty nine female subjects apparently healthy, with no family history  of  hereditary  blood  disease  attendants  to  out-patient  pediatric  clinic,  who  were assessed by a pediatrician, all control healthy subjects aged 10 to 16 years. Body weight & height and serum ferritin,  serum TSH, T3, & T4 were measured. Results:- There was a highly significant increase in serum circulating ferritin concentration in female thalassemic patients as  compare  with  control  subjects.  Also,  there  is  significant  increase  in  serum  Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration in female thalassemic patients. However, there is significant reduction in serum T3 and T4 concentrations in female thalassemic patients as compare with female control subjects. Conclusion; Thalassemic female patients had a lower T3 & T4 as compare with normal healthy female control subjects of same age.