A Study to Evaluate Effect of Levothyroxine Supplementation in Iron Deficiency Anemia Patients having Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Dr Gunja Jain; Dr Laxmi Kant Goyal; Dr G N Saxena

Volume : VI, Issue : II, February - 2016

A Study to Evaluate Effect of Levothyroxine Supplementation in Iron Deficiency Anemia Patients having Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Dr Gunja Jain, Dr Laxmi Kant Goyal, Dr G N Saxena

Abstract :

INTRODUCTION– Patients of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) with subclinical hypothyroidism are often resistant to iron therapy. This combo state requires combination therapy with both levothyroxine and iron to achieve maximal improvement. OBJECTIVE– To evaluate the effect of levothyroxine supplementation in IDA patients having subclinical hypothyroidism. MATERIAL AND METHODS– A case control study done at medical college hospital in North India among 50 female patients of SCH having IDA. Study participants were divided into two groups, 25 were taken as cases and other 25 as controls. Cases were given 300 mg of elemental iron in divided doses and 25ug of levothyroxine daily for 3 months. Controls were given 300 mg of iron only. Hematological parameters ( Hb, Hct, serum Iron, TIBC, serum ferritin), FreeT4 and TSH were assessed in both the groups. RESULTS– On completion of therapy, increase in Hb, Hct, Serum Iron, Serum Ferritin and FreeT4 was significantly more in cases than controls (p<0.001 for each). Reduction in TSH and TIBC was significantly more in cases than controls (p<0.001).CONCLUSION –Treatment of SCH has significant beneficial effect on both hematological as well as iron indices in patients of IDA.