COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SERUM ELECTROLYTES IN PATIENTS HAVING THYROID DYSFUNCTIONS WITH THE EUTHYROIDS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN NEPAL

Abstract

Background: Thyroid hormone influences almost all metabolisms in the body and maintains body homeostasis. Since electrolytes homeostasis is also maintained by the thyroid hormone, we conducted this study to access the level of serum electrolytes in the presence of thyroid dysfunction.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 120 patients with any form of thyroid dysfunction and 120 euthyroids conducted in the department of biochemistry and medicine at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kavre, Nepal for six months (May-October 2021). Ethical clearance was taken from the Institutional Review committee- KUSMS. Venous blood was collected and serum free T₃, free T₄, TSH, sodium and potassium were measured. Data were analysed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA) version 16.0. Independent t-test, Man Whitney U test, one way ANOVA with ad hoc Dunnet t test and Spearman correlation were performed.

Results: The mean level of sodium in subclinical hypothyroid, overt hypothyroid, euthyroid, subclinical hyperthyroid and overt hyperthyroid were 140.72±2.38, 141.24 ±4.60, 141.04±2.35, 141.89±3.38 and145.44±2.74, respectively. There was negative statistically significant correlation of the level of Na with TSH (rs=-0.144, p<0.05) and positive with fT₃(rs=0.241, p<0.01).

Conclusions: The level of serum sodium increased with the increase in the level of TSH and decreased with the increase in the level of fT₃ in our population.