HAEMOPARAMETERS IN FEMALE PATIENTS WITH THYROID GLAND DISORDER AT MOI TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Thyroid gland disorders may lead to excessive or deficiency in release of thyroid hormones. The disorder commonly occurs in women and may affect various haemoparameters and present with unclear signs and symptoms not often associated with thyroid disorders. This study investigated the effects of thyroid disorder on haemoparameters (haemoglobin levels, plasma electrolytes, protein metabolites) in female patients at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. This was a cross-sectional study. Fischer formula was used to calculate a sample size of 174 female participants with thyroid disorder and a similar size without thyroid disorder. The inclusion criteria consisted of females aged 15-49 years confirmed thyroid disease and females of corresponding age group without thyroid disease to serve as controls (euthyroid). The exclusion criteria consisted of females outside the stipulated age bracket, pregnant females and those with chronic illness. Venous blood was collected into EDTA vacutainers. Plasma was separated by centrifugation at 3000 rpm and analyzed for urea and creatinine using the Cobas Integra analyzer. Electrolyte levels were determined using the Ion Selective Electrode Analyzer, haemoglobin levels was measured using the Haematology Analyzer, thyroid hormone levels was assessed using the ELISA kit. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and Kruskal Wallis non-parametric statistic, p<0.05 was considered significant. Patients with thyroid disorder exhibited elevated levels of plasma urea and creatinine, with a Spearman correlation coefficient of (r= -0.518, -0.564) in hyperthyroid and (r= 0.405, 0.419) in hypothyroid participants compared to euthyroid participants at (r= 0.165, 0.037). The levels of sodium, potassium and chloride ions remained insignificant in all the groups. Low haemoglobin level was observed in the group with hypothyroidism with a Spearman’s correlation coefficient of (r= -0.495). Haemoglobin levels remained within the normal reference range in the hyperthyroid participants. The findings suggest an increase in plasma urea and creatinine levels in the hyperthyroid and hypothyroid female participants and a decrease in haemoglobin levels in females with hypothyroid disease. Plasma electrolytes remained within the normal reference range. Unclear clinical manifestations are associated with thyroid gland disorder. Screening for thyroid disorder and evaluation of haemoparameters should be advocated for as part of improving the disease management.