THYROID DYSFUNCTION

Objectives: Studies on relation between serum lipids and thyroid dysfunction are numerous but, on the whole, desultory and inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration of serum triglyceride, cholesterol and cholesterol profile in Sudanese patient with thyroid dysfunction. Design: A case control study. Period: April 2008 to June 2009. Setting: Khartoum, Omdurman and Ibrahim Malik teaching Hospital, Khartoum State. Material and Methods: 200 Sudanese patients with thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism 100, hyperthyroidism 100) was compared with 100 healthy subjects as control group . Serum samples was taken and cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL levels were analyzed using colorimetric methods. Results: The mean ±SD serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL in normal case respectively were 63.3±8.5, 163±6, mg/dl 44.3±3.7 mg/dl, 78.8±8 mg/dl. Among hypothyroidism, the mean ±SD serum total cholesterol, LDL, HDL respectively were 213.9±31.8 mg/dl, 38.5±3.5 mg/dl, 123.8±27.4 mg/dl and also among hyperthyroidism the mean ±SD serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL respectively were 55.2±6.1mg/dl,152±11.5 mg/dl, 40.7±1.3 mg/dl and 76.1±9.7 mg/dl. Serum level of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL is significantly elevated in hypothyroidism patients when compared with their control group (P<0.05). these changes in lipids profile among hypothyrodism patients are reversed upon thyroxine (T4) replacement therapy(p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study conclude that, the hypothyroidism causes significant increases of serum triglyceride, total Cholestrol, and LDL, with slight decreases in HDL level. In contrast thyroid replacement therapy reversed these changes.