Thyroid stimulating hormone and leptin levels and severe growth retardation among ß- thalassemic patients

Abstract

Objective: It has been proposed that Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) influences leptin secretion from adipocytes. We evaluated the association between TSH and leptin levels in thalassemic patients with growth retardation.

Methodology: Blood samples were collected from 30 major thalassemic patients and 24 normal subjects (range: 12 - 20 y). Both Leptin and TSH were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The anthropometric data were collected based on standard methods. Independent sample t-test and Pearson’s correlation were used to analyze data.

Results: Patients had severe growth retardation. Mean concentration of leptin in thalassemic patients was significantly lower than normal subjects (2.26±2.61 vs 13.14±15.95 ng/ml). The mean value of serum TSH concentration in ß- thalassemic patients was higher than normal subjects. But the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.146). There was no marked relationships between TSH and leptin concentrations in thalassemic patients (r= -0.022, P = 0.909) and in control group (r=0.289, P=0.214).

Conclusion: In both ß- thalassemic patients and normal group leptin secretion is not affected by TSH concentration.