Alteration of serum dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfated derivative in hypothyroidism

Abstract

Introduction: Dysfunction of thyroid gland are among the most common disease of endocrine glands which affect a considerable portion of the population. Thyroid abnormalities are accompanied by changes in various intermediary metabolism which results in body weight alteration, insulin resistance, lipid profile and various biochemical parameters. Changes in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated metabolite (Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) have been reported in patients with thyroid hypofunction but the evidence is controversial and not yet established. The present study planned to explore the association between thyroid function with DHEA and DHEAS levels in hypothyroid patients. Materials and Methods: An observational case control study was conducted in OPD patients of Rajshree Medical College of Rohilkhand region. RMRI, Bareilly.70 newly diagnosed hypothyroid patients were selected and all the biochemical parameters (plasma glucose, thyroid profile, DHEA and DHEAS) were compared with 70 age and sex matched healthy euthyroid controls. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 22.0. version. Results: We found that serum DHEA and DHEAS levels were significantly reduced in hypothyroid patients as compared to control (p<0.0001). Significant negative correlation was observed between DHEA and its sulfated form with TSH and positive association with thyroid hormones (T3, T4, fT3, fT4). Conclusion:The present study demonstrated that hypothyroidism is associated with significantly low levels of DHEA and DHEAS concentration. Alteration of these sterols in hypothyroidism clearly indicates that thyroid hormone may stimulate the synthesis of these androgen precursors, though more elaborate study with increased sample size may provide more insights.