Assessment of the Serum Levels of Thyroid Hormones, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone and blood Hemoglobin A1c among Sudanese with Type 1 diabetes

Abstract

A case control study was conducted during the period from November 2012 to January 2014 aimed to determine and to evaluate the serum levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and blood haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) among Sudanese with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Five hundred Sudanese (308 females, 192 males) with type 1 diabetes mellitus were selected as a test group from Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North hospitals in Khartoum state, Sudan. The test group was compared with a control group, which included two hundred and fifty apparently healthy volunteers (156 females, 94 males). The test group and the control group were matched for age and gender. Blood specimens were collected from both groups, and the serum levels of T3, T4, TSH and blood HbA1c% were determined for each participant. The serum levels of T3, T4 and TSH were measured using full automated chemistry analyzer (Elecsys 2010) whereas EDTA Blood HbA1c % was measured spectrophotometric using NycoCard semi-automated analyzer. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) computer program was used for data analysis. The result of this study indicated a significant elevation in the mean of the serum levels of T3, T4 and blood HbA1c% of the test group when compared to the control group, whereas the mean of the serum levels of TSH of the test group showed a significant reduction when compared to the control group. Also the results showed a significant strong positive correlation between the duration of diabetes (in years) and the serum levels of T4, and insignificant weak positive correlation with T3 and TSH. The results of the current study showed insignificant weak positive correlation between the age of the diabetics and the serum levels of T3, T4 and TSH. In addition, this study showed insignificant weak positive correlation between HbA1c% and the serum levels of T3,T4 and TSH among the diabetic group. In conclusion; the serum levels of T3, T4 and blood of HbA1c% are significantly elevated in patients with type 1 diabetes, whereas the serum levels of TSH is significantly reduced, so regular measurement of the serum levels of T3, T4, TSH and blood of HbA1c% are necessary to be done to patient with type 1diabetes for good glycemic control and to delay or minimize complications.