Assessment of Thyroid Profile in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a major public health concern in Pakistan, with potential impacts on thyroid function. Long-term HCV infection has been associated with thyroid dysfunction, but the extent of this relationship is not fully understood.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the thyroid hormone profile in HCV-positive patients to assess the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in this population.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 HCV-positive patients aged 18-70 years. Patients with liver cirrhosis, known thyroid disorders, or medications affecting thyroid function were excluded. Blood samples were collected, and thyroid hormones (TSH, FT3, FT4) were measured using an automated immunoassay system. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.Results: The study found that 17.50% of patients had elevated TSH levels, while 11.66% and 10.83% had elevated FT3 and FT4 levels, respectively. The mean values for TSH, FT3, and FT4 were 1.15 ± 0.515 µIU/mL, 1.10 ± 0.351 pg/mL, and 1.12 ± 0.361 ng/dL.Conclusion: The study demonstrated a significant association between HCV infection and thyroid dysfunction, highlighting the need for regular thyroid function monitoring in HCV-positive patients.