Evaluation of significance of hyponatremia in hypothyroidism in an urban female population of Eastern India: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Hypothyroid patients may have reduced sodium levels, but the strength of such a link is still not clearly defined. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the significance of hyponatremia in hypothyroidism in an urban young female population of eastern India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 hypothyroid patients in Burdwan Medical College in a period of 12 months after taking Institutional Ethical Clearance. 100 controls were taken for the study. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and sodium levels were estimated. The individuals were age matched. The computer software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 16.0 was used for analyzing data. Results: 200 hypothyroid patients were enrolled for the study. 31 hypothyroid patients presented with reduced serum sodium level (15.5%). Significant difference was observed between controls and hypothyroid patients for mean TSH (P < 0.0001), mean FT4 (P < 0.0001), and mean sodium (P < 0.0001). No significant difference of age was observed between two groups. Serum sodium level was negatively correlated with TSH (r: -0.59, P < 0.00001), and serum sodium was positively correlated with serum FT4 (r: 0.29, P: <0.0000). Conclusions: Hypothyroid females in reproductive age group may have significant decrease in serum sodium levels as compared to normal individuals, and serum sodium needs to be estimated in hypothyroid patients for better management of patients.

Keywords

• hyponatremia
• hypothyroidism
• indian female population