A Study of Serum Haptoglobin Levels in Case of Primary Idiopathic Hypothyroidism

Twenty five patients with clinical and laboratory diagnosis of Primary Idiopathic Hypothyroidism were subjected to serum haptoglobin estimation before the commencement of replacement therapy with L-thyroxine. Serum haptoglobin levels were observed to be significantly reduced or absent in these patients (p<0.05). The serum levels of haptoglobin in these patients showed a marked rise during the treatment and follow-up period of four and eight weeks (p<0.05). The role of serum haptoglobin as the cheapest and sensitive marker for laboratory diagnosis of Primary Idiopathic Hypothyroidism and its role in the management of these patients are discussed.