Oxidative Stress and Antioxidative Defence Mechanism in Patients with Hypothyroidism.

Free radical mediated oxidative stress has been implicated in the etio-pathogenesis of several autoimmune disorders. Hypothyroidism in humans is widely believed to impair health. The biochemical factors mediating decline in health, however, are poorly elucidated. Pathological consequences of hypothyroidism point to a high potential for antioxidant imbalance. The study population consisted of 50 subjects divided into two groups: 25 people with hypothyroidism and 25age-matched healthy participants. This study examined the levels of total tri-iodothyronine (T3), total thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone, (TSH), and some enzymatic antioxidant status. The mean TSH level was significantly higher in hypothyroid patients than in control group. On the other hand, the levels of T3 and T4 were significantly lower in hypothyroid patients compared to control group. However, the activities of catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were significantly lower in hypothyroid patients than in healthy group. These results confirm the hypothesis that people with hypothyroidism have reduced anti-oxidative defense.