RESUMO
Studies have indicated a role for oxidative processes in the genesis of various degenerative diseases including hyperthyroidism-induced damage. In this study we investigated the effects of hyperthyroidism on five trace elements: selenium, manganese, copper, zinc and lead. Fourty hyperthyroid patients (mean age: 40.18+5.17 years) and thirty euthyroid, apparently healthy controls (mean age: 40.33+5.31 years) were used for this study. Plasma levels of thyroid hormones were measured using enzyme immunoassay method. The trace elements were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The results showed that patients with hyperthyroidism had higher levels of T3 (6.24+2.94 nmol/L) and T4 (245.43+77.87 nmol/L) but lower levels of TSH (0.16+0.08 MIU/L) when compared with those of controls (T3: 1.49+0.26 nmol/L; T4: 89.47+15.64 nmol/L; and TSH: 1.5+0.48 MIU/L; P<0.05) respectively. We also showed from our data, that hyperthyroid patients had a lower and significant plasma selenium, copper and zinc than the controls (P<0.05).Higher and significant levels of plasma lead was seen in the hyperthyroid patients when compared with the controls (P<0.05). Correlation between trace elements and the thyroid hormones showed no significant difference (P>0.05). From this study, it could be inferred that hyperthyroid patients had low plasma level of selenium, manganese, copper, zinc but high plasma lead. Measurement of these trace elements during the treatment of patients with thyrotoxicosis could be useful for adequate prognosis.
RESUMO
Studies have indicated a role for oxidative processes in the genesis of various degenerative diseases including hyperthyroidism-induced damage. In this study we investigated the effects of hyperthyroidism on five trace elements: selenium, manganese, copper, zinc and lead. Fourty hyperthyroid patients (mean age: 40.18+5.17 years) and thirty euthyroid, apparently healthy controls (mean age: 40.33+5.31 years) were used for this study. Plasma levels of thyroid hormones were measured using enzyme immunoassay method. The trace elements were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The results showed that patients with hyperthyroidism had higher levels of T3 (6.24+2.94 nmol/L) and T4 (245.43+77.87 nmol/L) but lower levels of TSH (0.16+0.08 MIU/L) when compared with those of controls (T3: 1.49+0.26 nmol/L; T4: 89.47+15.64 nmol/L; and TSH: 1.5+0.48 MIU/L; P<0.05) respectively. We also showed from our data, that hyperthyroid patients had a lower and significant plasma selenium, copper and zinc than the controls (P<0.05).Higher and significant levels of plasma lead was seen in the hyperthyroid patients when compared with the controls (P<0.05). Correlation between trace elements and the thyroid hormones showed no significant difference (P>0.05). From this study, it could be inferred that hyperthyroid patients had low plasma level of selenium, manganese, copper, zinc but high plasma lead. Measurement of these trace elements during the treatment of patients with thyrotoxicosis could be useful for adequate prognosis.