Thyroid profile in patients of thalassemia with multiple blood transfusions and high serum ferritin: a cross-sectional study

Beta-thalassemia major patients undergo regular blood transfusion resulting ingrowth faltering and various endocrine problems including thyroid dysfunction due to iron overloadin the body. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of thyroid dysfunction in childrenpresenting with Beta-thalassemia major on regular blood transfusions. Materials and methods:Sixty children were included with proven beta-thalassemia major who reported to the Department ofPediatrics, VIMS, and RC, Bangalore. Inclusion criteria: 1.Children 4 to 18 years age group .2.Thechild received transfusions for more than 2 years. 3.Children with serum ferritin level >700.Results: In this study, four patients(6.8%) had overt hypothyroidism, eight patients(13.6%) hadsubclinical hypothyroidism and 47 patients(79.7%) had euthyroid status. There was a positivecorrelation between Ferritin and T4, TSH levels. i.e., with an increase in Ferritin level, there was anincrease in T4, TSH levels, and vice versa. However, the correlation was significant with TSH. Therewas a significant negative correlation between Ferritin and T3 levels. i.e with an increase in Ferritinlevel, there was a decrease in T3 levels and vice versa. Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction can exist inthalassemia patients on multiple transfusions and chelation therapy with high serum ferritin levels.Detection of hypothyroidism is important as inexpensive oral replacement therapy is readilyavailable. Hence regular screening of beta-thalassemia major patients for Serum T3, Serum T4,Serum TSH for early detection and timely treatment could improve the life expectancy and quality oflife of these patients.