Hypothyroidism in beta-thalassemia intermedia patients with and without hydroxyurea

ABSTRACT

Hydroxyurea [HU] has been successfully used in patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia [beta-TI]. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the long-term use of HU on thyroid function in patients with beta-TI. Seventy-five patients with beta-TI aged?11 years and taking HU were randomly selected during 2010 in southern Iran. Thirtyone patients with beta-TI without HU were considered as a control group. Serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] and T4 were measured. The mean age of the participants was 22.7 +/- 5.1 years [age range=12-41 years]. Serum ferritin level had no significant correlation with HU consumption [P>0.05]. Overall, we detected 10 [9.4%] patients with hypothyroidism. We found that the use of HU at a dose of 8-15 mg/kg/day has no significant association with thyroid function in beta-TI patients. However, due to the small sample size in our study, documentation of this finding needs further studies with higher numbers of patients