Impact of Iron Status on Thyroid Function: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study in Eastern Nepal

Authors

  • Saroj Thapa Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences
  • Madhab Lamsal BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan
  • Sanjay Kumar Sah National Medical college, Birgunj
  • Rajendra Kumar Chaudhari BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan
  • Basanta Gelal BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan
  • Saroj Kunwar Modern Technical College, Lalitpur
  • Nirmal Baral BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v15i1.21022

Keywords:

Iron deficiency, Thyroid hormones, Schoolchildren, subclinical hypothyroidism

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. The relation between thyroid hormones and iron status is bidirectional. The aim of this study was to assess iron nutrition status and evaluate its relationship with thyroid hormone profile among children of Eastern Nepal.

Methods: A  community based cross-sectional study was conducted in eastern Nepal. A total of 200 school children aged 6-12 years were recruited after taking informed consent from their guardians. Blood samples were collected and assayed for free thyroid hormones (fT3 and fT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) concentration and percentage transferrin saturation was calculated.

Results: The mean serum iron and TIBC was 74.04 µg/dl and 389.38 µg/dl respectively. The median transferring saturation was 19.21%. The overall prevalence of iron deficiency (Transferrin saturation < 16%) was 34% (n=68). The mean concentration of fT3 and fT4 was 2.87 pg/ml and 1.21 ng/dl respectively, while the median TSH concentration was 3.03 mIU/L. Median TSH concentration in iron deficient group (3.11 µg/dl) and iron sufficient group (2.91 µg/dl) was not significantly different. Among iron deficient children 5.9% had   subclinical hypothyroidism (n=4). Iron status indicators were not significantly correlated with thyroid profile parameters in the study population.

Conclusions: The prevalence of iron deficiency is high and iron   deficiency does not significantly alter the thyroid hormone profile in the study region.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
2196
PDF
619

Author Biographies

Saroj Thapa, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences

Department of Biochemistry, Lecturer

Madhab Lamsal, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan

Department of Biochemistry, Professor and Head

Sanjay Kumar Sah, National Medical college, Birgunj

Department of Biochemistry, Assistant Professor

Rajendra Kumar Chaudhari, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan

Department of Biochemistry, Associate professor

Basanta Gelal, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan

Department of Biochemistry, Assistant professor

Saroj Kunwar, Modern Technical College, Lalitpur

Department of Biochemistry, Lecturer

Nirmal Baral, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan

Department of Biochemistry, Professor

Downloads

Published

2019-03-03

How to Cite

Thapa, S., Lamsal, M., Sah, S. K., Chaudhari, R. K., Gelal, B., Kunwar, S., & Baral, N. (2019). Impact of Iron Status on Thyroid Function: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study in Eastern Nepal. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 15(1), 18–21. https://doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v15i1.21022

Issue

Section

Original Articles