Sickle cell disease and biological assessment of the thyroid gland in Lubumbashi

Introduction: Sickle cell disease is an inherited red blood cell disorder that leads to oxidative stress with the consequence of damage to certain organs, including the thyroid.
Objective: To evaluate changes in serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3), tetra-iodothyronine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in subjects with sickle cell disease in the city of Lubumbashi.
Methods: This study examined indicators of energy metabolism and a marker of oxidative stress in sickle cell anemia children attending ″The Sickle Cell Care Center (C-fare) ″. (n=64) and healthy control group (n = 64). The serum obtained after centrifugation of venous blood sample, was used for evaluate T3, T4 and TSH concentration. Mean values obtained from patients and the control group were statistically compared using the Student's t test.
Results: Mean values ​​of T3, T4 and TSH in sickle cell anemia children were respectively 1.91 ± 0.60 ng/L; 119.73 ± 25.32 nmol/L and 2.99 ± 1.48 mIU/L. In control group, these values ​​were 2.71 ± 1.22 ng/L; 130.96 ± 28.42 nmol/L and 2.18 ± 5.05 mIU/L respectively. The mean values ​​of T3 and T4 were significantly lower (p < 0.0001) while the mean value of TSH was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in patients compared to the control group. 
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that sickle cell disease shows greater incidence of hypothyroidism characterized by a significant decrease in T3 and T 4 with a significant increase in TSH.