thyroid function and some biochemical indices in male active smokers in calabar metropolis

Alterations in the homeostasis of biomolecules and multiple organ dysfunctions associated with cigarette smoke may suggest a dose dependent mechanism. this study assessed the triiodothyronine (t3), thyroxine (t4), thyrotropin (tsh), calcium (ca), albumin and vitamin c levels in relation to smoking pack years (spy) in male active smokers. ninety consenting males (18-60 yr) comprising of moderate smokers (n=26), light smokers (n=24) and non-smokers (n=40) were studied. triiodothyronine, thyroxine, tsh and cotinine were determined by elisa, calcium, albumin and vitamin c by colorimetry. the bmi, calcium, albumin, vitamin c and tsh were higher and cotinine, t3 and t4 lower in non-smokers compared to moderate and light smokers. light smokers had higher bmi, vitamin c and tsh and lower cotinine, t3 and t4 compared to moderate smokers. in smokers, cotinine correlated positively with spy (r = 0.838, p = 0.000), t3 (r=0.339, p = 0.005), t4 (r = 0.443, p = 0.001) and negatively with bmi (r = -0.478, p = 0.000), vitamin c (r=-0.407, p=0.003) and tsh (r = -0.510, p = 0.000) while spy correlated positively with t3 (r=0.586, p = 0.000), t4 (r = 0.608, p = 0.000) and negatively with bmi (r = -0.597, p = 0.000), vitamin c (r = -0.599, p = 0.000), albumin (r = -0.281, p = 0.048) and tsh (r = -0.578, p = 0.000). cigarette smoking and increasing smoking pack year may be associated with abnormal thyroid function and altered calcium, albumin and vitamin c homeostasis.