EFFECTS OF THYROIDAL DYSFUNCTIONS ON BONE MARKERS IN NON-PREGNANT WOMEN: A HOSPITAL BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY FROM KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA NORTHERN PAKISTAN

Objective: To study the ill effects of thyroid dysfunctions on biochemical markers of bone formation in non-pregnant women (NPW) of Khyber Pakhtunkhaw in Northern Pakistan. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in Khyber Teaching Hospital. The study group comprised of 258 non-pregnant women in the age range of 18-75 years. Thyroid profile was determined by Elisa methods for all the patients. Serum level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium and zinc were also determined using standard protocols and the data was analyzed statistically, using SPSS version 21. Results: Mean serum calcium was highest in overtly hyperthyroid (OH) group (9.80 ±0.90mg/dl) and lowest in overtly hypothyroid (Oh) group (8.95± 0.10 mg/ dl). Serum total alkaline phosphatase was found to be maximum in normal (N) group (159± 7.61 U/l) and minimum in sub clinically hypothyroid (Sh) group (128± 6.42 U/l). There were no significant differences in the serum zinc (Zn) level of all the diseased groups. Calcium showed significant positive correlation with TSH in Oh (p=0.01) and OH (p=0.04). Serum calcium was significantly negatively correlated with T3 in OH (p=0.01). Serum alkaline phosphatase was significantly negatively related with T4 in OH (p=0.01). Serum Zn showed a very significant positive correlation with T3 in sub-clinical hyperthyroid (SH) (p=0.02). Conclusions: Thyroid dysfunctions may disturb bone formation and resorption equilibrium.