The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Thyroid Hormones in 9‐13 Years Old Pre‐menarche Girls

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Emam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Biochemistry and Nutrition, Endoscopic & Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Cancer Research Centers, Department of Nutrition, Mashhad Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Iran

4 Nutrition and Biochemistry Research Center and Department of Nutrition, Mashhad Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Iran

5 Addiction Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

6 Department of Statistic, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan. The effects of prolonged food deprivation on endocrine hormones have been studied in healthy adults but no previous study has investigated this effect on children. This study aimed to evaluate the feasible changes in serum level of thyroxin (T3), tetraiodothyronin (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and body composition in pre-menarche girls. Methods: This cohort study was performed through Ramadan 2012. We enrolled fifty-eight 9-13years old girls (weight 34.20±7.96 kg, height 142.01±7.76 cm) in two groups from (31  and 27 in fasted and non-fasted groups, respectively) prior to Ramadan until afterwards. Weight and height of the subjects were measured using standard methods, and then Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated.  Body composition was measured using Bio Impedance Analyzer (BIA) method.  Serum concentrations of T3, T4 and TSH hormones were measured by Radio Immunoassay (RIA). Paired t-test was used to compare result of each group before and after Ramadan. Independent t-test was used to compare two groups together. Tanner intervention variable was controlled by generalized linear models intervening test. SPSS.11 software was used for data analysis. Results: Ramadan fasting induces a significant decrease in BMI and weight on fasted group (p=0.005, p=0.044, respectively) while a significant increase was observed in non-fasted group (p<0.001). Although, T3 decreased significantly by fasting (p<0.001), it remained in the normal range. Hence, T4 decreased and TSH increased slightly in both groups. Conclusions: According to our findings, despite a significant reduction of T3 in fasting group, variation in thyroid hormones level remained in the normal range during Ramadan fasting.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health
Volume 1, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
December 2013
Pages 46-52

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History

  • Receive Date: 23 July 2013
  • Revise Date: 17 August 2013
  • Accept Date: 19 August 2013

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