A Survey on Thyroid Hormonal Status among Moderate to Severe Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: COPD is one of the common diseases in pulmonary medicine. Current knowledge indicated that there was a link between COPD with thyroid hormonal abnormalities. Thyroid function disturbances can be able to affect on the COPD through upper airway obstruction, respiratory muscle weakness, development of central and obstructive sleep apnea, alveolar hypoventilation, and pleural effusion. Thyroid abnormalities are often both detectable and treatable. The aim of the study is to assess serum levels of thyroid hormones among moderate to severe stable COPD patients. Methods: 34 men were enrolled consecutive among established and stable COPD patients with moderate to the severe stages. Their selection constructed on the ATS/GOLD guidelines. Thyroid functions and hormonal concentrations measured according to manufacturerʹs instructions. Results: Mean age of sample was 51.7±5.76 SD years. It ranged over 42–60 years (Mode=49). Significant thyroid hormonal abnormalities were detected among established moderate to the severe COPD patients. The mean±SD of TSH, TT4 and free T3 concentrations in the focus population was 2.36±1.53 microIU/ml, 12.15±2.15 Micro/dl and 2.20±0.45 pg/ml, respectively. Frequency distribution of thyroid disorders included euthyroid functions 76.5%; three subjects of those had euthyroid sick syndrome, subclinical hyperthyroidism 20.6% and over hypothyroidism 2.9%, respectively. Grades of goiter on WHO classifications observed 0=44% and 1=41%. Conclusion: Frequent exacerbations of thyroid disorders were detected among stable, moderate to severe COPD patients. Subclinical hyperthyroidism and euthyroid sick syndrome were significant. Despite that prevalence of hypothyroidism is considerable in age-rang of Iranian’s population.