Background and study aim: Hepatitis C virus is a hepatolymphotropic virus, which is abundant in liver and different body organs. It has a significant role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones, including peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.This research aimed to assess the thyroid dysfunction in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) related liver diseases.
Methods: In this cross section study, we included 200 patients aged between 18-60 years. Patients were categorized into two groups: 50 patients with CHC infection without liver cirrhosis, and 150 patients had cirrhosis. The latter group were categorized based on Child-T-Pugh score into three subgroups; Child A, Child B, and Child C. Each group had 50 subjects. Patients were subjected to history taking, laboratory tests to assess liver and thyroid functions, in addition to abdominal ultrasound.
Results: The mean of TSH level in non-cirrhotic group was 2.57 while it was 2.81, 5.53, and 10.47 in child A, child B and C, respectively. FT3 mean values in non-cirrhotic group were 2.88 while it was 2.23, 1.42, and 1.01 in child A, B and C, respectively. The mean of FT4 level in non-cirrhotic group was 1.25 while it was 1.08, 0.84, and 0.77 in child A.B and C respectively.
Conclusion: Abnormalities in thyroid profile were higher among patient with cirrhosis than in those without cirrhosis. These abnormalities were strongly related to the severity of liver affection and advanced child T-Pugh scoring.