Authors: Dr. Ayush Nischal, Dr. Rajendra Dhar, Dr. Samrat Joshi*
DOI: DOI.ORG/10.59551/IJHMP/25832069/2026.7.2.130
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive systemic disorder characterized by multiple metabolic and endocrine disturbances. Thyroid dysfunction and dyslipidemia commonly coexist in CKD, potentially exacerbating cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between thyroid function and lipid profile levels in patients with CKD compared to healthy controls.
Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2024 to August 2025 at a tertiary care hospital in Jaipur, India. A total of 240 participants aged 18–65 years were enrolled, including 120 diagnosed CKD patients and 120 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Patients with a clinical history of pre-existing primary hypothyroidism, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus were excluded. Serum levels of free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL, LDL, VLDL, serum creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, with independent t-tests and ANOVA as appropriate.
Results: Mean age of CKD patients was significantly higher than controls (52.89 ± 12.44 vs. 43.69 ± 11.74 years; p<0.001). CKD patients showed significantly lower hemoglobin (10.30 ± 1.43 vs. 13.42 ± 1.12 g/dL), elevated serum urea (86.45 ± 44.56 vs. 27.63 ± 5.60 mg/dL) and creatinine (3.44 ± 1.94 vs. 0.90 ± 0.16 mg/dL), and reduced eGFR (23.07 ± 13.80 vs. 84.67 ± 22.27 mL/min/1.73m²) (all p<0.001). Thyroid function analysis revealed significantly lower FT3 (2.25 ± 0.47 vs. 3.10 ± 0.46 pg/mL; p<0.001) and higher TSH (3.28 ± 1.29 vs. 2.04 ± 0.75 μIU/mL; p<0.001) in CKD patients, with preserved FT4. Lipid profile showed significantly higher TC (220.68 ± 40.33 vs. 187.98 ± 31.06 mg/ dL), TG (222.11 ± 77.46 vs. 122.22 ± 45.17 mg/dL), LDL (137.15 ± 45.90 vs. 114.68 ± 32.25 mg/dL), VLDL (44.42 ± 15.49 vs. 24.44 ± 9.04 mg/dL), and lower HDL (39.11 ± 7.45 vs. 48.85 ± 9.63 mg/dL) in CKD patients (all p<0.001).
Conclusion: CKD is associated with significant thyroid dysfunction (low T3 syndrome and subclinical hypothyroidism) and an atherogenic lipid profile. Routine screening of thyroid function and lipid profile in CKD patients is recommended for early risk stratification and management to reduce cardiovascular morbidity.
KEYWORDS: Chronic Kidney Disease, Thyroid Dysfunction, Dyslipidemia, Low T3 Syndrome, eGFR, Cardiovascular Risk.