Study the Adverse Impact of Iron Overload on Growth-related Functions of the Pituitary and Thyroid Glands in Iraqi Patients with Hemoglobinopathies

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Organ damage can happen because of iron buildup caused by hemoglobinopathies. Patients with hemoglobinopathies are at high risk of iron overload due to increased intestinal iron absorption, hemolysis, and frequent blood transfusions. An excessive amount of iron can hurt the pituitary and thyroid glands’ growth-related hormonal processes. The bad effects of having too much iron have not been fully studied. This study aimed to investigate the impact of iron overload on these glands, particularly on their growth factors, thus providing valuable insights for improving the management and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty people with hemoglobinopathies were part of a case–control study. A comparison group of 50 healthy people was also added. Measurements were made using standard methods to determine the levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP). Iron, free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroid hormone (FT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were examined. RESULTS: The study found that the levels of GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP all dropped significantly ( P < 0.05), but there were no significant changes in the levels of TSH, FT3, and FT4 ( P > 0.05). On the other hand, compared to the control group, people with hemoglobinopathies had much higher ferritin levels. CONCLUSIONS: The amounts of GH and IGF-1 went down. An excessive amount of iron can hurt the pituitary gland’s growth-related hormonal processes. Due to iron poisoning, the cells that make GH were damaged, which led to hypopituitarism or slow growth.