Cigarette Smoking and Thyroid Hormone Levels in Nigerian Smokers
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Date
2017-03
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Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Tropical Medicine and Biomedical Research March
Abstract
ABSTRACT
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Background: Cigarette smoking has been linked with thyroid disorders with inconsistent result with
some studies linking cigarette smoking to increased thyroid hormone level and others to decreased
thyroid hormone levels. Thus, the aim of this study is to further evaluate the effect of cigarette smoking
on thyroid hormone pattern in non-alcoholic smokers in North Eastern Nigeria
Methodology: Free Triodothyronine(fT3), Free thyroxine (fT4) and their regulatory hormone,
Thyrotrophin stimulating Hormone(TSH) were evaluated in male current smokers (n=140), ex-smokers
(n=12) and non-smokers (n=84). The current smokers were also categorized based on daily cigarette
consumption (Light (<5 sticks/Day), Moderate (6-10 sticks/day) and Heavy (>10 sticks/day)) and
duration of smoking (Short (5-10 years), Medium (11-20 years) and Long (>20 years). A structured
questionnaire was used to get information on their clinical history, daily cigarette consumption and
duration of smoking.
Results: fT3 and fT4 were found to be significantly elevated in smokers (p<0.05) with no significant
change in TSH level(p>0.05). No significant difference was observed between ex-smokers and non
smokers.
Conclusion: The results suggests a direct stimulatory effect of cigarette smoking on thyroid gland and
thus at risk of hyperthyroidism, though this effect could be reversed by quitting smoking.
Key words: Cigarette smoking; Hyperthyroidism; Free Thyroxine; Free Ttriiodothyronine; Thyroid hormones; Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. methods.
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Citation
Cigarette smoking; Hyperthyroidism; Free Thyroxine; Free Ttriiodothyronine; Thyroid hormones; Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. methods.