Association of the Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine with the Heavy Metals Lead and Mercury in Patients with Suspected Hyperthyroidism
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18041/2390-0512/biociencias.2.11756Keywords:
Endocrine, Thyroid, Xenobiotics, ToxicologyAbstract
Introduction: Humans are exposed daily to various chemical elements through water, food and use of personal hygiene and cosmetic products that can cause alterations in the multiple systems of the human body, including the endocrine system. In this sense, the objective of the study was to associate the concentration of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (T3F) and free triiodothyronine (T4F) with the levels of lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in patients
with suspected hyperthyroidism.
Materials and Methods: The study group (SG) consisted of 20 patients regardless of sex and a control group (CG) of 20 individuals with no history of underlying pathologies. Method atomic absorption, coupled to a hydride generator, were used for Pb and Hg analysis, the biological sample being whole blood (Pb) and partial urine (Hg). Hormones were analyzed in serum by chemiluminescence.
Results: the concentration of TSH,
T3F and T4F in the SG were 0.46 ± 0.08 µUI/L, 8.34 ± 0.45 pg/mL and 1.25 ± 0.23 ng/mL. Statistical analysis yielded significant difference for TSH and T3F with respect to CG (p=0.046 and 0.021). Pb and mercury levels for the SG were 11.54 ± 0.75 µg/dL and 8.43 ± 0.11 µg/g of
creatinine, values above the permissible limits for these two metals and statistically significant with respect to the SG.
Conclusions: This study suggests a potential association between Pb and Hg with THS and T3F alteration, together with other toxicological aspects to which the patients may be associated.
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