Objective: 

The aims of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease.

Methods: 

Sample: 34 patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (glomerular filtration rate between 60–89 ml/minute per 1.73 m2). The subjects of study group were between 55 and 62 years. To diagnose subclinical hypothyroidism, free thyroxine (free T4) and TSH were determined. TSH was measured using a chemiluminescent immunometric assay with a normal range 0.10 - 4.50 mU/l, free T4 with a direct, monoclonal antibody assay were measured with a normal range of 0.7 to 1.7 ng/dl. Results were compared with measurements in 32 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus but without chronic kidney disease.

Results: 

The subjects of study group: 22 women (64.70%) and 12 men (35.29%) were between 55 and 62 years mean age SD 56.20 ± 3.28 years. Subclinical hypothyroidism occurred in 7 (20.58%) participants. In the patients of study group TSH were significantly correlated with age (r=0.872, p<0.001) and decreased of glomerular filtration rate (r=0.788, p<0.001). The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with thype with type 2 diabetes mellitus but without chronic kidney disease was 6.25% (2 patients -2 women).

Conclusions: 

The results suggest that subclinical hypothyroidism is a relatively common condition among diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease. The potential causal mechanisms linking between subclinical primary hypothyroidism and chronic kidney disease is not fully understood. The measurement of serum TSH levels should be included in the screening of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease.