English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder which affects 11 % of the adult population in western countries. Hypothyroidism can cause a wide variety of anaemic disorders. Patients with both hypothyroidism and Vitamin B12 deficiency also have similar symptoms. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the two and also hypothyroidism due to autoimmune cause. METHODS This was a descriptive study of 50 newly detected hypothyroid patients from Rajarajeswari Medical College evaluated for vitamin B12 deficiency. The study was conducted between January 10th 2019 to July 21st 2019. Lab parameters analysed included haemoglobin, thyroid function test (TFT), vitamin B12 levels and antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody levels. RESULTS Of the 50 hypothyroid patients evaluated, 23 were males and 27 were females between the age of 18 to 70 years. Anti TPO antibodies were present in 24 patients (48 %) out of 50, out of which 17 (70 %) patients had vitamin B12 deficiency. Out of 50 hypothyroid patients, 26 patients (52 %) had vitamin B12 deficiency. Thus hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disease was associated with Vitamin B12 deficiency which was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Patients with hypothyroidism were studied for the incidence of deficiency of vitamin B12. It was found that 26 of 50 (52 %) patients had low B 12 levels. Incidence in females (54 %) was more than in males (46 %). Our study showed association between hypothyroidism and vitamin B12 deficiency and also autoimmune thyroid disease. KEYWORDS Hypothyroidism, Autoimmune Thyroid Disease, Vitamin B12 Deficiency