Thyroid hormone profile in beta-thalassemia major children.

Thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder worldwide. The striking increase in survival of these patients over the past decade has focused attention on abnormal endocrine function, now the most prevalent iron-induced complication in older patients. Trans-fusion related iron overload is the primary therapeutic complication in thalassemia major. Hemosiderosis of various endocrine glands including the thyroid gland has been documented histologically in chronically transfused patients including thalassemics. Iron deposition in various endocrinal glands is responsible for the hormonal derangements. Other factors like hypoxia due to persistent anemia and perfusion defect, also contribute to the derangement. Hypothalamic– pituitary axis, thyroid, para-thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, gonads, all show hypoactivity. We therefore planned the present study with the aim to assess thyroid function in patients of β-thalassemia major and to evaluate its relation, if any, with serum ferritin levels.