Evaluation of Anemia Frequency and Types in Patients with Subclinical and Clinical Hypothyroidism in the Endemic Goiter Region

ABSTRACT Objective: Hypothyroidism is a disease that occurs as a result of thyroid hormone deficiency or rarely, due to ineffectiveness at the tissue level. While the prevalence of clinical hypothyroidism is reported to be 2-5% worldwide, of subclinical hypothyroidism it is 4-8.5%, with the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in women over 60 years of age being 14-20%. Hypothyroidism affects many organs and systems in the body, one of which is the hematopoietic system. Thyroid hormone deficiency plays a role in the development of microcytic, normocytic and macrocytic anemia. The frequency of anemia in patients with hypothyroidism varies between 20-60%. In this study, our aim was to determine the regional prevalence of subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism in adult patients in our region and to evaluate the frequency and types of anemia in patients with hypothyroidism. Method and Material: This study was prospectively conducted between 01.12.2012 and 01.05.2013 at the outpatient clinic of Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Faculty of Medicine Endocrinology. Included in the study were 96 patients who had subclinical hypothyroidism, 30 patients who had clinical hypothyroidism, and 100 healthy controls. Normal fT4 and fT3, high TSH values were used for the diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism, and low fT4 and/or fT3, high TSH values were used for the diagnosis of clinical hypothyroidism. The diagnosis of anemia was based on subclinical hypothyroidism, clinical hypothyroidism, and control group Hb value