Publication Details
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2, is a rapidly growing chronic disease globally, with significant metabolic implications. Among the various complications associated with type 2 diabetes, thyroid dysfunction particularly hypothyroidism has been observed with increasing frequency, affecting hormonal regulation and glucose metabolism. Despite established connections between diabetes and thyroid disorders, localized clinical data from regions such as Kirkuk are limited, especially regarding the direct measurement of thyroid hormones T3 and T4 in diabetic patients. This study aimed to evaluate thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) levels in type 2 diabetic patients in Kirkuk city, identifying any significant deviations associated with hypothyroidism and assessing gender and age correlations. Blood samples from 68 individuals were classified into three groups: diabetic with hypothyroidism, diabetic only, and healthy controls. Results indicated a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.01) in T3 and T4 levels in diabetic patients with hypothyroidism compared to the other groups, with the mean T3 at 80.04 ± 5.59 ng/dL and T4 at 5.35 ± 0.60 µg/dL. Thyroid dysfunction was notably higher among females, especially in the 45–55 age group.The study offers the first dataset correlating T3/T4 levels and diabetic status in Kirkuk, using stratified group analysis and robust biochemical testing. Implications: These findings emphasize the necessity for routine thyroid screening in type 2 diabetic patients to detect and manage hypothyroidism early, potentially mitigating further metabolic complications.