Abstract: Background: Hypothyroidism is characterized by a decline in basal metabolic rate which can lead to glycogen build-up and decreased enzyme activity in energy synthesis and other regulatory systems. Thyroid hormones have a number of key targets including skeletal muscle. Thus, in hypothyroid patients altered glycolysis, glycogenolysis and mitochondrial metabolism have an impact on skeletal muscle function. Timely assessment of muscle biomarkers Creatine Kinase (CK) (NAC) [N-acetyl-cystein], CK-MM, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Aldolase in patients of hypothyroidism can estimate the usefulness of these enzymes as screening tests to detect muscle damage associated with hypothyroidism.
Objective: To estimate the serum CK(NAC), CK-MM, LDH, AST and Aldolase activity and compare with normal healthy controls.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College & Research Centre Moradabad. CK (NAC), CK-MM, LDH, AST and Aldolase were measured in 60 patients with hypothyroidism under the age group of (20-60) years using automated method and their levels were compared with 60 healthy individuals as controls.
Results: Serum CK (NAC), CK-MM and Aldolase were significantly higher in cases than the controls (p<0.001) whereas LDH (p = 0.418) and AST (p=0.406) were slightly increased in hypothyroid patients as compared to the normal individuals but the difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Muscle markers can be used to assess disease severity in hypothyroid patients. Early quantitation of the activity of these enzymes can help in the management of comorbidities associated with hypothyroidism as well as in improving the quality of life.
