Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Thyrotropin Hormone (TSH) and Vitamin D Levels among Obese Patients in Nineveh Governorate

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of bariatric surgery on thyrotropin (TSH), calcium, vitamin D, and lipid profile levels three months post-surgery among patients who underwent the procedure. We also investigated the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies during the initial three months before and after surgery, along with monitoring the effects of gastric sleeve surgery on body mass index (BMI) reduction. Methods: The study involved the analysis of data from a cohort comprising 30 patients of both genders who had undergone sleeve gastrectomy due to obesity, with a preoperative BMI of 40 kg/m² or higher. The research spanned from July 2022 to January 2023, with patients undergoing gastric sleeve surgery at Al-Zahrawi Hospital in Nineveh. These patients were subsequently followed up for a period of three months post-surgery. Results: The study findings demonstrated a significant reduction in TSH, vitamin D, calcium, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDLc), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLc) cholesterol, and BMI in patients who underwent gastric sleeve surgery within the three-month follow-up period, in comparison to their pre-surgery levels. Additionally, there was a noteworthy increase in high-density lipoproteins of cholesterol (HDLc) in the serum of these patients post-operation. The results further indicated positive correlations between TSH, vitamin D, cholesterol, LDLc, and the Atherogenic Index. Likewise, positive correlations were observed between vitamin D, TSH, total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and LDLc. Conclusion: Post-surgery deficiencies in vitamin D, calcium, and TSH levels are attributed to inadequate intake and absorption of micronutrients, highlighting the importance of nutritional supplementation. Sleeve gastrectomy offers a promising avenue for sustained BMI reduction in the long term.