The Relationship between Serum Iron and Thyroid Function in the Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disorder.
• Thyroid dysfunction is a common comorbidity in T2DM patients.
• The role of trace elements, like iron, in T2DM and thyroid health requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between serum iron (Fe3+) levels and thyroid function parameters in patients with T2DM.
• To identify potential correlations between iron status, thyroid hormones, and metabolic control in this population.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 1657 T2DM patients from Shanghai Pudong Hospital (2018-2021).
• Assessment of glucose metabolic parameters, serum iron (Fe3+), and thyroid function tests (free and total thyroid hormones, TSH).
• Statistical analysis including correlation and multilinear regression to determine relationships and determinants.

Main Results:

• Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were observed in patients with positive thyroid peroxidase and/or antithyroglobulin antibodies.
• Serum Fe3+ deficiency was associated with altered free T3 levels in both genders and free T4/total T4 in males.
• Serum Fe3+ levels, along with age, gender, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), were significant determinants of FT3 levels; iron status did not impact glycemic control.

Conclusions:

• Serum iron (Fe3+) levels are significantly associated with thyroid function in T2DM patients, independent of glycemic control.
• Factors including age, gender, and renal function also play a role in the interplay between iron and thyroid status in T2DM.
• These findings suggest that monitoring iron status may be relevant for managing thyroid function in individuals with type 2 diabetes.