Publication:

Investigating the correlation of ferritin and uric acid levels in hypothyroidism: a case-control study

Background Hypothyroidism is one of the most prevalent endocrinological disorder in our country as well as other parts of the world. Uric acid is a known antioxidant while ferritin, besides its role in iron storage is an acute-phase reactant.  The present study is an endeavour to study the metabolic changes in uric acid and ferritin levels in relation to subclinical and overt hypothyroidism.

Methods The 34 subclinical, 27 overt hypothyroid and 35 age and sex matched control individuals in the age group of 18-60 years were included. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Free thyroxine (fT4) and ferritin were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay techniques; while uric acid was measured using Uricase, Trinder-End Point spectrophotometric method.

Results The serum uric acid levels were found to be significantly higher in overt hypothyroidism as compared to subclinical hypothyroidism. No significant difference was found in the serum ferritin levels of the individuals with subclinical and overt hypothyroidism.

Conclusions Hence, the present study suggests that hypothyroidism results in an increased serum uric acid level most probably caused by decreased renal clearance of uric acid due to compromised fT4 function. However, no such effect was found in serum ferritin levels.