Evaluation of some Biochemical and Endocrine Profiles in transfusion-dependent Iraqi major β - thalassemia patients

Endocrine Abnormalities in β-thalassemia major are common disturbing complications, that need prompt management. Importance of this work was to evaluate the some biochemical parameters and endocrine hormones related to the pubertal maturity and fertility status in cases with thalassemia. A sixty patients [38 males and 22 females] with β - thalassemia major against 30 healthy subjects [17 males and 13 females] were enrolle . The Blood levels of, Leptin, Vitamin D, thyroid function test, parathyroid hormone, ghrelin, and sex hormones were determined in the blood. Body Mass Index (BMI) was also evaluate. Results showed that besides lower BMI, all hormones assessed were significantly lower in thalassemia β-major cases compared to healthy (p 0.001). Furthermore, the ghrelin/ Leptin ratio in female cases was lower than the values obtained in the controls (p 0.001) .Finally, significant negative correlations, (p 0.05) were detected between circulating levels of ghrelin and Follicle stimulating hormone ( FSH ), Luteinizing (LH) in male and female . The lower values of ghrelin and Leptin in thalassemia β-major possibly constitute another hormonal imbalance which may cntribute to the obstruction of growth and sexual maturation encountered in patients group. Hypothyroidism occurs in proportion of β-major thalassemia patients in the absence of clinical signs of hypothyroidism. Regular follow-up, for early detection and timely treatment of such complications could improve, the type of life of those patients.