Correlation Between Serum Ferritin and Gonadotrophins and Sex Hormones in Patients with Transfusion Dependent â-Thalassemia

Background: Patients with transfusion dependent beta thalassemia major develop a number of complications of whichhypogonadism is the most common. In addition, raised serum ferritin level has been associated with hypogonadism.Objective: To determine a correlation between serum ferritin, gonadotrophins and sex hormones in patients with transfusiondependent â-thalassemia syndrome patients.Material and methods: This cross sectional study was designed and conducted at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (IBMS),Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar and Fatimid Foundation, blood bank and hematological services Peshawar. Betathalassemia syndrome patients enrolled in the study were 97. Blood samples collected from the study subjects were analyzed atIBMS KMU using chemiluminescence immune assay for determination of serum ferritin and gonadal hormones such as FSH, LH,Estradiol and Testosterone.Results: The mean±SD age of patients was 18.93±3.6 years with a range of 15-32 years. There were 55 (56.7%) males and 42(43.3%) females. Overall hypogonadism was diagnosed in 39 (40.21%) patients. Although we did not find any association betweenserum ferritin level and gonadal function in our study, hypogonadism having males had a higher serum ferritin level (p = 0.02). Astatistically significant negative correlation was found between serum ferritin and serum level of LH, FSH and testosterone in males(p <0.05).Conclusion: The effect of iron overload on serum level of gonadotrophins and gonadal hormones is more pronounced in males ascompared to female thalassemic patients.Keywords: Beta Thalassemia syndrome, Chelation, Ferritin, Hypogonadism, Gonads, Sex Hormones