Evaluation of Thyroid Profile in Ghanaian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction: Type 2 diabetic patients show thyroid disorders that may aggravate the metabolic imbalance. This study evaluated the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients and the effect of altered hormones level on clinical and biochemical outcomes. Method: Type 2 diabetic patients (60) were age-matched with 58 non-diabetic controls. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triidothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured. Serum lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose and clinical parameters were also measured. Two-hour oral glucose tolerance test was performed for the controls. Results: The levels of TSH and FT3 were significantly lower in diabetic patients than in controls (p < 0.01). Mean difference of FT4 levels was not significant (p > 0.05). Prevalence of thyroid disorder in diabetic patients was 10.1% (1.7% hypothyroidism and 8.4% hyperthyroidism) while 5.1% of hypothyroidism was found in the non-diabetic controls. The mean duration of diabetes was 9.23 years. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), diastolic (DBP) and systolic (SBP) blood pressure between the groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The plasma glucose levels and serum lipids exception of high density lipoprotein were significantly raised in the type 2 diabetic patients than controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in the studied type 2 diabetic patients was 10.1%. Prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were 1.7%and 8.4% respectively. Sub-clinical hyperthyroidism was the most common disorder and was higher in females.