Assessment of Red Cell Distribution Width among Sudanese Patients with Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Background: Thyroid dysfunction has a strong linkage with anemia. RDW was traditionally regarded as a part of routine evaluation of anemia Elevated RDW level was significantly associated with subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism. Objectives: The aim of this is study to assess the Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW-CV and RDW-SD) in patients with hypothyroidism. Methodology: This is a case-control laboratory-based study conducted among 50 patients with hypothyroidism as cases (38.50 ± 10.46 years; 36% males and 64% females) and 50 normal healthy individuals as controls (35.52 ± 11.64 years; 46% males and 54% females) in National Cancer Institute – University of Gezira (NCI-UG), Gezira State, Sudan from January to October 2020. Three ml of venous blood sample was collected in an EDTA container. Red cell parameters (RBC count, MCV, RDW-CV, and RDW-SD) were measured using Sysmex XP 300 Cell Counter. SPSS computer program (v 22.0) was used for data analysis. Results: The average RDW (SD and CV) of cases were higher than controls (P value = 0.000, 0.000 respectively). There was a significant difference in RDW-CV between mild and severe hypothyroidism (P value = 0.040). RDW-SD and RDW-CV had significant positive correlation within TSH (r = 0.361, P value = 0.000; r = 0.407, P value = 0.000 respectively) and significant negative correlation within T3 (r = - 0.419, P value = 0.000; r = - 0.507, P value = 0.000 respectively) and T4 (r = - 0.406, P value = 0.000; r = - 0.506, P value = 0.000 respectively). Conclusion: The study concluded that RDW was significantly higher in patients with hypothyroidism and had a significant positive correlation with TSH and a significant negative correlation within T3 and T4. So, RDW may be used as a significant clinical marker of hypothyroidism.

Effect of Thyroid Dysfunction on Complete Blood Count

“…We observed positive correlation between RDW and serum TSH levels indicating that abnormal thyroid hormone levels may affect red blood cell size and RDW levels. Aktas G et al, 20 Guowei Zhou et al, 21 Alexandra P.Bremner et al, 22 and Khalid Abdelsamea et al reported, 23 these studies support our results indicating that abnormal thyroid hormone levels may affect red blood cell size and RDW levels. It has been observed in several studies 20,21,22,23,24 that this hematological parameter is much higher than others, especially in hypothyroidism.…”

“…Aktas G et al, 20 Guowei Zhou et al, 21 Alexandra P.Bremner et al, 22 and Khalid Abdelsamea et al reported, 23 these studies support our results indicating that abnormal thyroid hormone levels may affect red blood cell size and RDW levels. It has been observed in several studies 20,21,22,23,24 that this hematological parameter is much higher than others, especially in hypothyroidism. On the other hand, Montagnana et al represented, 7 positive correlations between MCV and serum TSH level.…”