Frequency and Pattern of Thyroid Dysfunction Among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus and thyroid dysfunction are common endocrine disorders that frequently coexist. Thyroid hormones influence carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and cardiovascular physiology, while diabetes and its metabolic abnormalities may affect thyroid-axis function.

Objective: To determine the frequency and pattern of thyroid dysfunction among patients with diabetes mellitus and to assess its relationship with selected demographic characteristics and glycemic control.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was designed involving 210 adult patients with diabetes mellitus. Demographic and clinical information was recorded, and fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, TSH, FT3, and FT4 were assessed. Thyroid dysfunction was classified as subclinical or overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism according to biochemical findings. Descriptive statistics and tests of association were planned.

Results: 42/210 (20.0%) patients had thyroid dysfunction. Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most frequent abnormality (22, 10.5%), followed by overt hypothyroidism (12, 5.7%), subclinical hyperthyroidism (5, 2.4%), and overt hyperthyroidism (3, 1.4%). Thyroid dysfunction was more frequent among women, older patients, and those with HbA1c ≥7%.

Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction may be relatively frequent among patients with diabetes mellitus, with subclinical hypothyroidism representing the predominant pattern. Targeted thyroid-function assessment may be clinically relevant in diabetic patients with suggestive symptoms or risk factors.