Leptin and thyroid hormones in beta-thalassemia major: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Hypothyroidism and leptin deficiency are two common endocrinopathies in β-thalassemia major patients (β-TM). Changes in leptin levels may lead to changes in thyroid hormone levels in thalassemia patients through suppression of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis. Hence, we aimed to evaluate their correlation in β-TM patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on transfusion dependent β-thalassemia patients receiving chelation treatment between 2018 and 2019. Tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and leptin were measured for each participant. Data analyzed by SPSS, p< 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: One hundred and twenty-six β-TM patients aged between 10 and 30 years old participated in the study, including 55 (43.7%) females and 71(56.3%) males. TSH abnormality was prevalent among 13 (23.6%) females and 10(14.1%) males. Leptin level was significantly lower in males (6.65±7.27 VS 2.41±2.79, p<0.01). TSH was correlated with leptin in all (r=0.393, p<0.01), females (r=0.387, p<0.01), males (r=0.387, p<0.01), adolescents (r=0.512, p<0.01), young adults (r=0.287, P=0.01), underweights (r=0.483, p<0.01) and normal weight (r=0.301, P=0.03) thalassemia patients. T4 was correlated with leptin in all (r=0.201, p=0.02), females (r=0.281, P=0.03), males (r=0.281, P=0.03), and adolescents (r=0.280, P=0.03) β-TM patients. T3 did not correlate with leptin in all groups of the patients.

Conclusion: In summary, leptin levels were significantly lower in males, and TSH abnormality was common in both genders. Therefore, screening for endocrine issues may benefit these people. Furthermore, leptin exhibited a correlation with TSH and T4. This may support the role of leptin on thyroid function in β-TM patients.