Association of Serum Ferritin and Lipid Profile in Patients with Thyroid Disorder

Abstract

Background: Thyroid hormones are the important modulator of intermediary metabolism. They affect synthesis, mobilization, and degradation of lipids, although degradation is influenced more than synthesis. Serum ferritin levels also have been reported to be altered in patients with thyroid disease. Objective: The present study aims to explore the association of lipid profile with serum ferritin in patients with thyroid disorder. Patients and Methods: In this study, 140 individuals were selected from the outpatient department of the National Diabetes Center/AL-Mustansiriyah University. Serum ferritin, free triiodothyronine (FT3), free tetraiodothyronine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and lipid profile were measured. Results: Nonsignificant differences of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein levels in hypothyroid, and hyperthyroid and euthyroid groups were observed. The serum ferritin levels indicate a significant increase in hypothyroidism in comparison to their levels in both other groups (hyperthyroidism and euthyroid). Meanwhile, a significant increase of serum ferritin was observed in hyperthyroidism in comparison to that level of the euthyroid group. Ferritin level was found to be negatively high correlated with lipid profile in hypothyroidism, TSH was also negatively correlated with ferritin level. In the hyperthyroidism group, ferritin level was high correlated positively with free thyroxine, whereas a highly significant positive correlation of ferritin with FT3 was observed in the euthyroid group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the lipid profile in thyroid disorder patients is various according to ferritin level.