Alterations in osmotic fragility of the red blood cells in hypo- and hyperthyroid patients

Background: Changes in concentration of thyroid hormones can affect Na+-K+-ATPase number and activity and phospholipid composition of the cell membranes leading to changes in the surface to volume ratio and strength of membrane. Aim: In this study, the osmotic fragility of the red blood cells from non-treated hypo- and hyperthyroid patients was compared to that of control subjects. Material/subjects and methods: After 3 washings with normal saline, red blood cells were placed in varying concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) (0-0.9%) and fragility was assessed with colorimetric method; to do this, after the incubation period, tubes were centrifuged and the optical density of the tubes was measured. Hemolysis percentage in tubes was calculated based on 100% hemolysis in the tubes containing no NaCl (0%). Results: Osmotic fragility of the cells from hyperthyroid patients in 0.45% NaCl was significantly lower than control subjects (74.6%+/- 30.2 vs 93.8%+/- 9.1, p<0.01). The osmotic fragility of red blood cells in 0.5% concentration of sodium chloride in hyperthyroid patients was significantly lower compared to that of controls (27.8%+/- 26.0 vs 63.5%+/- 27.5, p<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the osmotic fragility of the hypothyroid patients compared with control subjects. Conclusions: Alteration in osmotic fragility is seen in patients with hyperthyroidism; however, anemia reported in hypo- or hyperthyroid patients is not due to high osmotic fragility of red blood cells and other causes need to be investigated.