A study of thyroid-stimulating hormone in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Diabetes and thyroid dysfunctions are closely related to endocrine disorders. Research has shown that there is a clear connection between hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, increased glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, and abnormal thyroid function. Hypothyroidism is relatively common in diabetic patients, particularly in those with suboptimal glycemic control. As a result, screening for thyroid dysfunction in diabetic patients can aid in the early identification and treatment of hypothyroidism, potentially reducing the risk of complications associated with the condition. Objectives: Correlation of TSH and HbA1c in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, between February 2022 and February 2023. A total of 120 patients with diabetes attending the department without any prior history of thyroid disease or any factor that may affect thyroid function were included in this study. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and HbA1c were done in all subjects. Results: The result showed that the mean age was 57.68 years with female preponderance (58.33%) and increased mean levels of HbA1c (7.8850%) and TSH (13.566 micro IU/mL). In our study, the mean serum TSH level was significantly higher in uncontrolled diabetes than that in controlled diabetes patients. HbA1c also showed a positive correlation (r = 0.574; P < 0.001) with thyroid abnormality. Conclusions: Conducting thyroid function screenings on diabetic patients can aid in the identification of asymptomatic hypothyroid patients. Early detection of underlying thyroid dysfunction facilitates timely treatment, which may enhance glycemic control and ultimately improve the quality of life for diabetic patients.