The Study of Thyroid Dysfunction among Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and thyroid dysfunction are the two most common endocrinopathies seen in general population. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is commonly associated with altered thyroid function. Aim of the present study is to reveal the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in patients of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In the present study 50 type 2 diabetic subjects and 50 healthy non diabetic subjects were investigated for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total tri-iodo-thyronine (T3), total thyroxine (T4), free tri-iodo-thyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Out of the 50 type 2 diabetic subjects studied, 25.11% showed abnormal thyroid function (21.90% had hypothyroidism and 3.21% had hyperthyroidism) and 74.89% showed normal thyroid hormone level. The ability to diagnose and treat unsuspected hypothyroidism in type 2 diabetic patients may result in better control of the diabetic state, thereby greatly enhancing the quality of life. This study justifies the view that all type 2 diabetic patients should be screened for hypothyroidism. KEYWORDS