Cited 19 times since 2018 (3.4 per year) source: EuropePMC The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, Volume 103, Issue 10, 1 1 2018, Pages 3658-3667 The Relation Between Thyroid Function and Anemia: A Pooled Analysis of Individual Participant Data. Wopereis DM, Du Puy RS, van Heemst D, Walsh JP, Bremner A, Bakker SJL, Bauer DC, Cappola AR, Ceresini G, Degryse J, Dullaart RPF, Feller M, Ferrucci L, Floriani C, Franco OH, Iacoviello M, Iervasi G, Imaizumi M, Jukema JW, Khaw KT, Luben RN, Molinaro S, Nauck M, Patel KV, Peeters RP, Psaty BM, Razvi S, Schindhelm RK, van Schoor NM, Stott DJ, Vaes B, Vanderpump MPJ, Völzke H, Westendorp RGJ, Rodondi N, Cobbaert CM, Gussekloo J, den Elzen WPJ, Thyroid Studies Collaboration
Context
Anemia and thyroid dysfunction often co-occur, and both increase with age. Human data on relationships between thyroid disease and anemia are scarce.
Objective
To investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between clinical thyroid status and anemia.
Design
Individual participant data meta-analysis.
Setting
Sixteen cohorts participating in the Thyroid Studies Collaboration (n = 42,162).
Main outcome measures
Primary outcome measure was anemia (hemoglobin <130 g/L in men and <120 g/L in women).
Results
Cross-sectionally, participants with abnormal thyroid status had an increased risk of having anemia compared with euthyroid participants [overt hypothyroidism, pooled OR 1.84 (95% CI 1.35 to 2.50), subclinical hypothyroidism 1.21 (1.02 to 1.43), subclinical hyperthyroidism 1.27 (1.03 to 1.57), and overt hyperthyroidism 1.69 (1.00 to 2.87)]. Hemoglobin levels were lower in all groups compared with participants with euthyroidism. In the longitudinal analyses (n = 25,466 from 14 cohorts), the pooled hazard ratio for the risk of development of anemia was 1.38 (95% CI 0.86 to 2.20) for overt hypothyroidism, 1.18 (1.00 to 1.38) for subclinical hypothyroidism, 1.15 (0.94 to 1.42) for subclinical hyperthyroidism, and 1.47 (0.91 to 2.38) for overt hyperthyroidism. Sensitivity analyses excluding thyroid medication or high levels of C-reactive protein yielded similar results. No differences in mean annual change in hemoglobin levels were observed between the thyroid hormone status groups.
Conclusion
Higher odds of having anemia were observed in participants with both hypothyroid function and hyperthyroid function. In addition, reduced thyroid function at baseline showed a trend of increased risk of developing anemia during follow-up. It remains to be assessed in a randomized controlled trial whether treatment is effective in reducing anemia.
