Study of serum zinc level in overt and subclinical hypothyroidism – A case control study

Abstract

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a clinical condition which is characterized by low thyroid hormone synthesis. It results in slowdown of metabolic processes and also presents with biochemical abnormalities including reduced serum zinc level. Objectives: This study was done to estimate the serum zinc level in subclinical and overt hypothyroidism cases.| Materials and Methods: Study included 90 patients of hypothyroidism, of which 60 subclinical and 30 overt cases and 91 age sex matched healthy controls. Venous blood was used for testing serum fT3, fT4, TSH, and zinc levels. Statistical analysis was done using student ‘t’ test. Pearson’s correlation between serum zinc and thyroid parameters was used to establish the relationship. Results: The serum zinc levels were significantly decreased in subclinical and overt hypothyroidism cases compared to controls and it showed significant negative correlation with TSH. Conclusion: Serum zinc level is decreased in both subclinical and overt hypothyroidism. Keywords: fT3 (free triiodothyronine), fT4 (free tetraiodothyronine), TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), Subclinical hypothyroidism, Overt.