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Abstract
Background: Calcium, iron, vitamin D, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are essential biochemical indicators associated with several physiological processes, including bone metabolism, oxygen transport, and endocrine regulation. Variations in their serum concentrations may occur across different age groups and between sexes. Objective: This study aimed to investigate age-related variations in serum calcium, iron, vitamin D, and TSH levels among male and female individuals from Rigdaleen, Al-Jumail, and Sabratha, Libya. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using laboratory records obtained from a medical analysis laboratory in Sabratha, Libya. The study included 176 individuals, comprising 99 females and 77 males, distributed across six age groups: 0–10, 11–20, 21–30, 31–40, 41–50, and over 51 years. Serum concentrations of calcium, iron, vitamin D, and TSH were evaluated separately for males and females. The results were expressed as means and standard deviations (mean ± SD), and evaluated against standard clinical reference intervals. Results: The findings demonstrated variations in biochemical parameters across age groups and between sexes. Serum iron concentrations showed a general tendency to decrease in older age groups, with the lowest mean values observed among individuals older than 51 years in both sexes. Calcium concentrations were also relatively lower in the oldest age group, particularly among males (7.91 ± 1.15 mg/dL) and females (8.21 ± 1.41mg/dL). Vitamin D concentrations varied considerably, with the lowest mean values recorded among males aged 31–40 years (8.9 ± 5.8 ng/mL), whereas females exhibited their lowest mean concentration in the group older than 51 years (18.7 ± 7.9 ng/mL). In contrast, mean TSH concentrations remained within the reported reference intervals across the studied age groups, with the highest mean values observed among males older than 51 years (2.6 ± 1.5 mIU/L) and females aged 21–30 years (2.34 ± 0.9 mIU/L). Conclusion: The findings indicate age-related variations in serum iron, calcium, and vitamin D concentrations, whereas mean TSH levels were relatively consistent with the reported reference intervals. The lower mean iron and calcium concentrations in older individuals, together with the observed variations in vitamin D levels, highlight the importance of biochemical monitoring across different age groups. Further analytical studies with inferential statistics are recommended to establish causal factors.