Liver Function Test Parameters in Hypothyroid Patients Visiting Tertiary Care Center of Western Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the complicated interactions between the thyroid gland and liver, thyroid hormone dysfunction may affect the liver function tests, and could be of clinical importance. We aimed to compare the hepatic function parameters between hypothyroid and euthyroid patients visiting tertiary care center of western Nepal.
 Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 113 hypothyroid and 111 euthyroid patients. After consent, thyroid function and liver function parameters were analyzed using automated analyzers. Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman’s correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were performed for analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
 Results: Among hypothyroid group, the majority were subclinical hypothyroid (n=74, 65.49%) and the rest (n = 39, 34.51%) were overt hypothyroid. The serum bilirubin and liver enzymes levels were significantly higher in hypothyroid compared to euthyroid. The serum albumin levels were significantly lower in the hypothyroid group. Serum liver enzymes and bilirubin levels were correlated negatively and positively with the thyroid hormones (fT3, fT4) and TSH levels, respectively.
 Conclusion: Patients with hypothyroidism and euthyroid patients had significantly different liver function test results. Although serum albumin was lower in the hypothyroid group, serum bilirubin and liver enzymes were higher.