EVALUATION OF THYROID DYSFUNCTION IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Thyroid diseases and diabetes mellitus (DM) are two major endocrine disorders often seen in the clinics. Thyroid disorders are known to alter glycemic status of which hyperthyroidism potentially enhances blood glycemic levels and hypothyroidism enhances the risk to develop hypoglycemic episodes. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate thyroid dysfunction encountered among Type 2 DM patients. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in 40 type 2
diabetes mellitus (Group 1) patients either attending diabetic clinic or admitted in the medicine ward for metabolic control of diabetes in Government medical college, Kozhikode for a period of one year. 40 apparently healthy control controls were segregated in group 2. Thyroid function test (Free T3, Free T4 and TSH) was measured using chemiluminescence method and fasting blood sugar (FBS) with glucose oxidase-peroxidase method. Statistically analysis was done with Independent‘ t’ test and chi square test with p-value <0.05, considered significant. 58% DM subjects had low normal Free T3 levels (4.19+1.5pmol/L, p<0.001); 45% had high TSH levels (3.61+1.4μIU/ml, p<0.001) indicating subclinical hypothyroidism. However, 60% of patients had normal free T4 (18.1+4.17 pmol/L, p=0.98). Based on this study, the prevalence of thyroid disorder (Subclinical and overt hypothyroidism) was significantly higher in type 2 DM. Type 2 DM can be associated with thyroid dysfunction especially subclinical hypothyroidism which can have deleterious effects on cardiovascular and metabolic function hence warranting regular screening.