Platelet to Lymphocyte and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratios are useful in differentiation of thyroid conditions with normal and increased uptake

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Thyroid uptake scintigraphy is a useful diagnostic tool in differentiation of thyroid conditions, especially in differentiation of hyperthyroidism from other causes of thyrotoxicosis. Hemogram parameters were introduced as novel inflammatory markers.
Objective: To study the association between hemogram indices and thyroid uptake in patients with thyroid diseases in Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital internal medicine clinic.
Methods: Medical data of the patients with thyroid conditions were obtained from institutional databases between January 2019 and January 2020 in Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital, Bolu, Turkey. According to the uptake the study population was grouped into three groups, decreased uptake, normal uptake and increased uptake groups. Laboratory parameters, including neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were compared between study groups.
Results: Median NLR of normal, increased and decreased uptake groups were 1.5 (1-2.9) %, 2.1 (1.1-26) %, and 2.2 (1.1-10) %, respectively (p<0.001). Median PLR of normal, increased and decreased uptake groups were 99 (42-201) %, 144 (69-264) %, and 121 (67-270) %, respectively (p<0.001). NLR was significantly and positively correlated with CRP (r=0.59, p<0.001), and with ESR (r=0.30, p<0.001). Similarly PLR was also significantly and positively correlated with CRP (r=0.54, p<0.001), and with ESR (r=0.28, p<0.001).
Conclusions: We suggest that NLR and PLR could serve as additional diagnostic tools in the differentiation of thyroid conditions with increased uptake from that with normal uptake. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2021; 35(3):149-153]
Keywords: thyroid uptake, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, thyroid diseases, inflammatory markers