A study of pulmonary function in hypothyroid female patients of reproductive age group and its correlation with free T3, T4 and TSH

Abstract Objectives Hypothyroidism is common among females of reproductive age group. The prevalence is 10.95 % of which 3.47 % are unaware of the condition and its effect on lung function. To study the pulmonary function among hypothyroid females of reproductive age group and to identify the respiratory disease pattern and also to correlate free T3, T4 and TSH Levels with pulmonary function test parameters. Methods This is a case control study, comprised of 156 participants divided into two groups (n 1 and n 2 ). Group 1 consisted of normal healthy female controls and group 2 consisted of hypothyroid female patients of age group 18–45 years. After recording anthropometric variables, vital signs and BMI, spirometry was performed and following parameters, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, PIF and FEF 25–75 % were assessed and analyzed. Statistical analysis and correlation was done. Results Hypothyroid patients showed a statistically significant decline in FEV1, FEV1/FVC%. Rho and Pearson’s correlation showed a positive correlation between free T4 and FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, PIF, FEF 25–75 % , with FEF 25–75 % statistically significant. TSH showed a negative correlation with FVC, PEF and PIF with PEF statistically significant. Conclusions Our study shows that patients with hypothyroidism are more prone to develop obstructive pattern of lung disease, with a decline in small airway and large airway function.