Effect of hypothyroidism on lipid profile in asymptomatic newly diagnosed patients

Hypothyroidism is a very common endocrine problem. It can be either overt or subclinical. Subclinical hypothyroidism predisposes to overt hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism leads to hypercholesterolaemia because of reduced activity of lipoprotein lipase and thus increases the cardiovascular risk. The objective of this study was carried out to find the lipid profile in hypothyroid patients in asymptomatic previously undiagnosed cases and to correlate different components of lipid profile with TSH and ft[4]. This is a case control study consisting of 82 hypothyroid patients with age and gender matched controls selected through convenient sampling from Chemical Pathology Department, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and National University of Sciences and Technology [NUST], Islamabad between May and October 2012. Data were recorded using specially designed pro forma and analysis was carried out on SPSS 17. Among the 82 hypothyroid patients, 62 were females while 20 were males. Mean age of patients was 40.6 +/- 11.7 years. Hypothyroid patients showed a dyslipidaemic picture and all the components namely total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein were significantly raised when compared with the controls. TSH showed significant positive correlation [p value] with total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein. Hypothyroid patients show a dyslipidaemic picture, thus increasing the risk for cardiovascular complications. A hypothyroid patient must be screened for lipid abnormalities, while in case of unexplained hyperlipidemia, thyroid screening must be performed

Comparison of serum calcium estimation by direct colorimetric and volume / volume colorimetric methods based on O-cresolphtalein principle

Calcium is the most abundant mineral and fifth most common element in the body. There are many different methods for estimation of serum calcium like spectrophotometeric, ion selective electrode [ISE] and atomic absorption methods. Aim of our study was to compare serum calcium estimation by using direct colorimetric and volume / volume colorimeteric [v/v] methods based on o-Cresolphthlein principle. The study was performed in a tertiary care laboratory in Rawalpindi from March to June '2011. It was a comparative prospective study. Seventy commercial quality control samples of Randox laboratories were simultaneously tested by both the methods. Results were analyzed on SPSS version 17. In normal controls, the v/v method kit gave the mean result of 2.34 mmol/L +/- 0.04 with a CV of 1.70% while with the direct colorimetric method kit the values were 2.31 mmol/L +/- 0.03 with a CV of 1.30%. In abnormal controls, v/v method kit gave the mean value to be 3.09 mmol/L +/- 0.04 with a CV of 1.29% while with the direct colorimetric method kit, the mean value was 3.07 mmol/L +/- 0.03 with a CV of 0.97%. Both the kits are recommended for use in a tertiary care laboratory as the precision and accuracy of both kits is comparable. But the volume / volume colorimetric kit is more cost effective

Effect of hypertension on body mass index and total cholesterol levels as risk factors in ischemic heart diseases

Dyslipidaemia and hypertension are important predisposing factors leading to cardiovascular diseases. Obesity also increases the risk of hypertension, coronary artery disease and dyslipidaemia. Purpose of this study was to find out a relationship between body mass index and total cholesterol levels in 100 hypertensive patients. Study was performed in Chemical Pathology Department of Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Department of Medicine, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. It is a cross-sectional study and simple non-probability random sampling was used. Hundred hypertensive patients were included in the study. Data was recorded using a detailed proforma and analysis was done on SPSS version 17. Of the 100 hypertensive patients included in the study, there were 39 males while 61 were females. The mean age was 60.1 +/- 11.5 years. The mean blood pressure was 171 +/- 13.1/105.2 +/- 6.6 mm of Hg. Mean body mass index was 28.6 +/- 3.97. Mean of total cholesterol was 5.7 +/- 0.7 mmol/L in all the patients. Hypertension, dyslipidaemia and increased BMI increase go hand in hand with the risk of cardiovascular disease. Treatment strategies should be adopted to treat hypertension and dyslipidemia aggressively and lifestyle modifications are necessary for reducing BMI

need and rationale of thyroid function tests in a tertiary care laboratory

To find out the outcome of thyroid function tests in a tertiary care laboratory and to assess the rationality of thyroid function tests advice. It was a descriptive study which was carried out in a tertiary care laboratory of Rawalpindi. Patient's demographic data and clinical details were recorded. Blood samples were obtained and analysis was done. Results were analyzed on SPSS version 17. One hundred twenty seven samples of both sexes with age range 15-80 years were selected for study and non probability random sampling was done. There were 94 [74%] females and 33 [26%] males. Age range of the patients was 38.8 +/- 14.4 years. Majority of the patients were found to be euthyroid 76.38%. On basis of history, the most common symptom for which thyroid testing was advised was lethargy. For non-specific symptoms, full thyroid profile should not be advised, rather Thyroid Stimulating Hormone [TSH] should be used as a first line screening test. Full thyroid profile is an expensive test and has financial implications on both patients as well as the laboratory, so rational use o thyroid function tests is recommended