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Thyroid functional status in leprosy patients in Sudan
M M Kheir1, A M Ahmed, A A Elsarrag
1Department of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
Summary
Leprosy patients showed altered thyroid function, with higher thyrotropin levels compared to controls. Serum thyroxine was low in lepromatous leprosy patients, and triiodothyronine was elevated in both patient groups.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, can affect various organ systems.
- Thyroid dysfunction is a potential complication of chronic inflammatory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical and biochemical effects of lepromatous and borderline leprosy on thyroid function.
- To compare thyroid hormone levels in leprosy patients with a healthy control group.
Main Methods:
- Study included 45 adult patients with untreated lepromatous or borderline leprosy.
- A control group of 30 healthy subjects was included for comparison.
- Serum levels of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and thyrotropin were measured.
Main Results:
- Thyroid hormone levels were generally within the normal range.
- Mean serum thyroxine was significantly lower in lepromatous leprosy patients.
- Mean thyrotropin levels were significantly higher in both leprosy patient groups compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Untreated leprosy is associated with significant alterations in thyroid function, particularly elevated thyrotropin.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and clinical implications of these thyroid changes in leprosy.