Lipid profile pattern in thyroid disorders in northeastern Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: thyroid hormones are involved in regulation of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism therefore, thyroid dysfunctions induce significant changes in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. However, lipid disorders in thyroid dysfunctions exhibit great individual variability and the pattern of changes in lipid fractions in thyroid disorders remain controversial.
Objectives: To determine lipid pattern in thyroid disorders in northeastern Nigeria.
Methods: 18 simple goiter, 41 thyrotoxicosis patients, and 41 control subjects were recruited at the surgery clinic and department of Chemical Pathology of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Thyroid function test and lipid profile were done for each subjects.
Results: The mean(SD) serum LDL and TGs levels in simple goiter patients were significantly higher than in the control subjects. However, total cholesterol and HDL did not show any significant difference. Similarly, the mean(SD) serum LDL and TGs levels in thyrotoxicosis patients were significantly higher than in the control subjects. In addition, total cholesterol and HDL did not show any significant difference. There was no significant difference in lipid components among thyroid disorder patients. The mean(SD) TC/HDL ratio was significantly higher in both simple goiter and thyrotoxicosis patients compared to that of the control subjects. However, the ratio did not show any significant difference among the thyroid disorder patients.
Conclusion: The lipid pattern did not only show dyslipidaemia in simple goiter patients alone but also in the thyrotoxicosis patients as well. Lipd profiles should therefore, be part of workup in the management of thyroid dysfunctions.


Keywords: Lipid profile, Thyrotoxicosis, Simple goiter, Control

Highland Medical Research Journal Vol. 5 (2) 2007 pp. 20-26