A comparative study of the ionic and total calcium levels in women with thyroid dysfunction

Abstract

Background: Thyroid hormones play an important role in the homeostasis of calcium and phosphorous levels. A person with thyroid dysfunction may exhibit symptoms that are owing to the alteration in calcium levels. Objective: To evaluate the effect of thyroid function on the total and ionic calcium levels in women with thyroid dysfunction. Materials and Methods: The study group included three groups: group I (clinically proven healthy controls), group II (hyperthyroidism), and group III (hypothyroidism) with 45 subjects in each group. Estimation of the biochemical parameters was done by standard methods, and the level of ionic calcium was calculated using a formula. Result: Serum total calcium and ionic calcium were significantly decreased in hypothyroidism group subjects when compared with hyperthyroidism and healthy control subjects. In groups II and III, the total calcium was inversely correlated with the thyroid stimulating hormone level. Conclusion: Our study showed that there is an association between the serum calcium levels and thyroid function. However, there is no marked difference between the total and ionic calcium levels in thyroid dysfunction.