Evaluation of Serum Insulin, Glucose, Lipid Profile, and Liver Function in β-Thalassemia Major Patients and Their Correlation With Iron Overload

The aim of this study was the evaluation of glycometabolic function, lipid profile, and liver function in patients with β thalassemia major (TM) and their relationship with serum iron and ferritin. Fasting serum glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and liver enzymes were evaluated for 78 homozygous TM patients and 122 normal control subjects. Serum iron, ferritin, and insulin resistance index (IRI) were determined for them. Fasting serum glucose, TG, aspartate transaminase (AST) levels, alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, and IRI were significantly higher in the homozygous TM patients than in the controls (P<0.0001 for all). Serum cholesterol was significantly lower in patients (P=0.003), and 5.1% of cases had diabetes mellitus. Impaired glucose and lipid metabolism, and also liver dysfunction were observed in about 18%, 30%, and 20% of the patients, respectively. Normoinsulinemia and a high IRI suggest beta cell failure. Better evaluation of iron toxicity can protect patients from complications associated with treatment.