Role of Minerals, Magnesium and Zinc in Subclinical Hypothyrodisim

This study aim to estimate the levels of serum magnesium and zinc in patients of Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SCH). SCH, according to the endocrine web is defined as an elevation in Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level (4.6-10 m I U/L) with thyroid hormone levels in the normal range. The body needs magnesium (Mg+2), a macromineral that serves as a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes. For 5'-deiodinase to work properly and as a cofactor for thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), zinc (Zn+2) is necessary. The thyroid hormones that transcription factors bind to and include Zn+2 bound to cysteine residues are essential for modulating gene expression.

To identify the instances with SCH, the serum TSH, Total Triiodothyronine (T3), and Thyroxine (T4) levels were determined using the ELISA method. By spectrophotometry, a semiautomated analyzer was used to determine the serum magnesium concentration. Patients with SCH had their serum zinc evaluated using a fully automated analyzer (Vitros 5600).

In SCH, both T3, T4 were within the normal range, and TSH was in the range of 4.6-10 mI U/L. There was a statistically significant (p0.001) drop in serum zinc levels, but not in serum magnesium levels in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.