Association of Serum FT3, FT4, TSH Levels and Acne Severity in Patients with Post-adolescent Acne: A Hospital-Based Study in Bangladesh

  • Farha Zaman1, A.K.M. Rejaul Hoque2, Mohammed Saiful Islam Bhuyian3, Lubna Khondker4, Noor-E-Jannat5, Md Emdadul Hoque Shuva6, Wasi Deen Ahmed7, Halima Khatun8, Raisa Enayet Badhan9, Shohely Pervin10, Bithi Akter11, Sohana Ahmed12, Nusrat Zahan13

  • Volume 6, Issue 1, Page No: 2-9

Abstract

Background: Post-adolescent acne is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder that may persist or develop beyond adolescence. Although several hormonal factors have been implicated in its pathogenesis, the relationship between thyroid function and acne severity remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to assess the relationship between serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and acne severity among patients with post-adolescent acne.

Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 36 clinically diagnosed patients with post-adolescent acne attending the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Patients aged 25 years or older who fulfilled the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. Acne severity was assessed using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). Serum FT3, FT4, and TSH levels were measured using the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) method. The relationship between serum thyroid hormone levels and acne severity was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation, while thyroid hormone levels across mild, moderate, and severe acne groups were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). We considered p < 0.05 statistically significant.

Results: Among the 36 participants, the mean age was 29.53 ± 4.24 years, with a range of 25–41 years; 72.2% were female, and 27.8% were male. Based on the GAGS score, 27.8% had mild acne, 55.6% had moderate acne, and 16.7% had severe acne. The mean serum FT3, FT4, and TSH levels were 4.66 ± 0.48 pmol/L, 12.80 ± 1.63 pmol/L, and 0.28 ± 0.33 mIU/L, respectively. None of the thyroid parameters showed a statistically significant correlation with GAGS score. FT3 showed a very weak negative correlation (rₛ = −0.027, p=0.875), FT4 showed a very weak positive correlation (rₛ = 0.035, p=0.838), and TSH showed a weak negative correlation (rₛ = −0.277, p=0.102). Comparison across acne severity groups also showed no statistically significant differences in mean FT3 (p=0.983), FT4 (p=0.247), or TSH (p=0.078) levels.

Conclusion: No statistically significant relationship was observed between serum FT3, FT4, or TSH levels and acne severity among patients with post-adolescent acne. These findings suggest that variations in circulating thyroid hormone levels may not be directly associated with the clinical severity of acne in this study population. Larger studies with longitudinal designs are warranted to further explore the potential role of thyroid function in the pathogenesis and clinical progression of post-adolescent acne.

Keywords: Post-adolescent acne; Acne severity; FT3; FT4; TSH; Global Acne Grading System; Thyroid function.


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