Leptin and thyroid hormones in beta-thalassemia major: A cross-sectional study

Hypothyroidism and leptin deficiency are two common endocrinopathies in β-thalassemia major patients (β-TM). Changes in leptin levels may lead to changes in thyroid hormone levels in thalassemia patients through suppression of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis. Hence, we aimed to evaluate their correlation in β-TM patients.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on transfusion dependent β-thalassemia patients receiving chelation treatment between 2018 and 2019. Tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and leptin were measured for each participant. Data analyzed by SPSS, p< 0.05 was considered as significant.

One hundred and twenty-six β-TM patients aged between 10 and 30 years old participated in the study, including 55 (43.7%) females and 71(56.3%) males. TSH abnormality was prevalent among 13 (23.6%) females and 10(14.1%) males. Leptin level was significantly lower in males (6.65±7.27 VS 2.41±2.79, p<0.01). TSH was correlated with leptin in all (r=0.393, p<0.01), females (r=0.387, p<0.01), males (r=0.387, p<0.01), adolescents (r=0.512, p<0.01), young adults (r=0.287, P=0.01), underweights (r=0.483, p<0.01) and normal weight (r=0.301, P=0.03) thalassemia patients. T4 was correlated with leptin in all (r=0.201, p=0.02), females (r=0.281, P=0.03), males (r=0.281, P=0.03), and adolescents (r=0.280, P=0.03) β-TM patients. T3 did not correlate with leptin in all groups of the patients.

In summary, leptin levels were significantly lower in males, and TSH abnormality was common in both genders. Therefore, screening for endocrine issues may benefit these people. Furthermore, leptin exhibited a correlation with TSH and T4. This may support the role of leptin on thyroid function in β-TM patients.