EVALUATION OF SERUM GALECTIN-3 LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM AND HYPERTHYROIDISM IN AJMAN, UNITED ARAB...

Galectin-3, a β-galactoside-binding lectin, is involved in fibrosis, inflammation, and carcinogenesis, and has been proposed as a biomarker in thyroid diseases. This study evaluated serum Galectin-3 levels in patients with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and explored its association with thyroid function parameters.

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 96 participants categorized into three groups: hypothyroid (n=34), hyperthyroid (n=36), and euthyroid controls (n=26). Serum Galectin-3, TSH, and FT4 levels were measured using ELISA and standard biochemical methods. Data were analysed using SPSS software. ANOVA, t-tests, and Pearson correlation were applied to assess statistical significance and associations.

Mean serum Galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients compared with euthyroid controls (p<0.01). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the hyperthyroid and hypothyroid groups. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation between FT4 and TSH (r=-0.428, p<0.01), while no significant correlations were identified between Galectin-3 and FT4, TSH, or age. Chi-square analysis showed a significant association between thyroid disease category and Galectin-3 level groups (p=0.047).

Elevated Galectin-3 levels are associated with thyroid dysfunction in general but do not distinguish between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Therefore, Galectin-3 may reflect underlying inflammatory or fibrotic activity rather than serve as a differential diagnostic biomarker between thyroid functional states.