A Retrospective Analysis of the Changes in Prediabetes-Associated Markers of Thyroid Function in Patients from Durban, South Africa

Thyroid dysfunction and type 2 diabetes melittus (T2DM) are two of the most common endocrine disorders, and the emerging condition of prediabetes necessitates additional research to better understand the complex interactions between thyroid hormones, metabolic regulation, and the progression from prediabetes to T2DM. This study sought to investigate changes in selected markers of thyroid function in patients with pre-diabetes. Upon obtaining ethics permission, blood samples were collected from patients in King Edward Hospital in Durban, South Africa. The samples were classified as non-diabetic, pre-diabetic, and type 2 diabetic using the ADA guidelines. The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4) triiodothyronine (T3), Thyroglobulin (TG), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) concentrations were determined in these samples. The results showed elevated TSH, decreased T3 and T4, decreased thyroglobulin (Tg), and elevated TPOAb in the prediabetic group which became considerably pronounced with the shift to T2DM. The alterations in these markers during prediabetes may indicate an early stage of thyroid dysfunction necessitating further investigation as these alterations become more pronounced during type 2 diabetes mellitus.