Assessment of Red Cell Distribution Width among Sudanese Patients with Hypothyroidism

Background: Thyroid dysfunction has a strong linkage with anemia. RDW was traditionally regarded as a
part of routine evaluation of anemia Elevated RDW level was signicantly associated with subclinical
hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Objectives: The aim of this is study to assess the Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW-CV and RDW-SD) in
patients with hypothyroidism.
Methodology: This is a case-control laboratory-based study conducted among 50 patients with
hypothyroidism as cases (38.50 ± 10.46 years; 36% males and 64% females) and 50 normal healthy
individuals as controls (35.52 ± 11.64 years; 46% males and 54% females) in National Cancer Institute –
University of Gezira (NCI-UG), Gezira State, Sudan from January to October 2020. Three ml of venous
blood sample was collected in an EDTA container. Red cell parameters (RBC count, MCV, RDW-CV, and
RDW-SD) were measured using Sysmex XP 300 Cell Counter. SPSS computer program (v 22.0) was used
for data analysis.
Results: The average RDW (SD and CV) of cases were higher than controls (P value = 0.000, 0.000
respectively). There was a signicant difference in RDW-CV between mild and severe hypothyroidism (P
value = 0.040). RDW-SD and RDW-CV had signicant positive correlation within TSH (r = 0.361, P value =
0.000; r = 0.407, P value = 0.000 respectively) and signicant negative correlation within T3 (r = - 0.419, P
value = 0.000; r = - 0.507, P value = 0.000 respectively) and T4 (r = - 0.406, P value = 0.000; r = - 0.506, P
value = 0.000 respectively).
Conclusion: The study concluded that RDW was signicantly higher in patients with hypothyroidism and
had a signicant positive correlation with TSH and a signicant negative correlation within T3 and T4.
So, RDW may be used as a signicant clinical marker of hypothyroidism.