Coagulation profiles in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid female patients in Sudan

To evaluate disturbances in the coagulation system in female patients with thyroid disorders in order to assess the effects of thyroid diseases on coagulation parameters.

This study was conducted in Khartoum state, the national capital of Sudan from February 2007 and February 2008 The study included 30 patients with clinical hypothyroidism, and 30 patients with sub- clinical hypothyroidism (21 of them were recruited before starting the treatment). Also, the study included 30 patients with clinical hyperthyroidism, 30 with sub-clinical hyperthyroidism, (37 of them were recruited before starting the treatment) and 30 normal individuals as the control group. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen level, and platelets count were performed in patients and control samples.

A significantly decrease in PT was observed in hypothyroid patients, and hyperthyroid patients compared to the control group. Activated thromboplastin time was significantly decreased only in hyperthyroid patients, compared to the control group. Moreover, fibrinogen level was significantly increased in hyperthyroid patients compared to hypothyroid patients.

The study concluded that minor coagulation abnormalities were observed in both subclinical hypo- and hyperthyroidism compared to clinical hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Platelets count was also slightly decreased in both types of the disease. There was no significant effect of the treatment and age of such patients on the measured parameters. The study recommended to screen female patients with hypo- and hyperthyroidism for coagulation defect, to avoid the risk of such complications.