ABSTRACT

Aims: To compare pre and post Ramadan thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and to correlate the effect of timing of levothyroxine intake with TSH levels and to correlate lipid profile with TSH.

Study design: Cohort study

Place and duration of study: Department of Endocrinology of Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) Peshawar in Holy month of Ramadan, 11th April to 25th June 2019.

Methods: Pre Ramadan blood samples were taken within 3 weeks before Ramadan and post Ramadan samples within 2 weeks after Eid-ul-Fitar from 44 patients. A fasting blood sample of 3ml withdrawn in plain tube and serum was used to measure TSH by electrochemoilluminisence (ELCIA) method by machine e411 Roche Company.

Results: The mean Pre Ramadan TSH was 2.85± 1.34m IU/L. The Post Ramadan TSH increased to 3.84±2.46 m IU/L. and the difference was significant (p=0.014). Pre-Ramadan TSH levels was documented in normal range of 36 patients, while 8 patients showed high TSH levels and post Ramadan TSH levels were increased in 20 patients. Increase levels of TSH were seen in case of intake of thyroxine less than 30 minutes before taking of food in sahour. The serum cholesterol levels showed the positive correlation with TSH levels.

Conclusion: There is an increase in TSH in participants taking thyroxine less than 30 minutes before sehari with sehari or post sehari and there is a positive correlation between TSH levels and lipid parameters.

Keyword: Thyroxin, Thyroid stimulating hormone, Fasting, Effectiveness