Triiodothyronine Variations during Resumption and Examination Periods: A Study among First-Year Medical Students

Abstract

Triiodothyronine (T3) is a thyroid hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating the body's metabolism and maintaining homoestasis. There is limited knowledge of the effect of academic activities on T3 level among first-year students in various times of their academic journey. This cross-sectional study evaluated Triiodothyronine (T3) levels in first-year students at PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS) during resumption and examination periods. Thirty participants were recruited by random sampling, and blood samples were collected during both times. Serum T3 levels were analyzed using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) with p set at ≤ 0.05. The results showed that T3 levels were significantly higher during examinations (3.39 ± 3.72 nmol/L) compared to resumption (1.81 ± 0.50 nmol/L), with a p-value of 0.024. During resumption, males had T3 levels of 2.02 ± 0.81 nmol/L and females 1.72 ± 0.28 nmol/L, while during examination, T3 levels for males and females were 2.92 ± 0.98 nmol/L and 2.64 ± 0.52 nmol/L, respectively, with no significant gender difference (p = 0.113). Age group comparisons also showed no significant differences in T3 levels during resumption (p = 0.743) or examination (p = 0.89). T3 levels during resumption for the 16-17, 18-19, and 20-21-year age groups were 1.83 ± 0.52 nmol/L, 1.61 ± 0.44 nmol/L, and 1.62 ± 0.00 nmol/L, respectively. During examinations, these levels were 3.52 ± 3.98 nmol/L, 2.60 ± 0.63 nmol/L, and 2.27 ± 0.00 nmol/L, respectively.In conclusion, T3 levels were higher during examinations, with no significant gender or age differences observed.