Renal insufficiency in overt hypothyroidism

Abstract

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder worldwide. In hypothyroidism, there is altered regulation of renal hemodynamics and basal metabolic rate. This hospital-based case-control study was done to evaluate the changes in uric acid level in hypothyroid subjects. This study includes 25 hypothyroid cases with age and sex-matched controls. Serum total thyroid profile was estimated by Chemiluminiscence Immunoassay (CLIA) and uric acid by the Uricase method in fully automated Vitros 5600. The mean uric acid level is increased in hypothyroid. Triiodothyronine(T3) & Thyroxine(T4) level of hypothyroid patients showed a significant negative correlation with uric acid with 'r' values of 0.45 and 0.51, respectively. A positive correlation was observed between Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and uric acid (p=0.22) in hypothyroid subjects. The raise in uric acid is hypothyroid subjects is due to hemodynamic changes like reduction in renal plasma flow and disordered thyroid state affects purine metabolism, leading to hyperuricemia and gout. Hence, these parameters should be monitored regularly in hypothyroid patients.