Spectrum of Thyroid Diseases, An Experience in the Tertiary care and Teaching Hospital

Objectives: To find the prevalence of thyroid disorders in association with age and sex Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study. Setting and duration of study: Chemical pathology laboratory Benazir Bhutto Hospital from September 2004 to February 2005. Materials and Methods: The study comprised of 139 subjects including 115 females and 24 males from 5-80 years of age. History and physical examination of each patient was taken according to the predesigned Performa. The thyroid profile was tested by ELISA tech to find out the values of TSH, T4, T3. Results: It was found that the thyroid disorders were 5 times more common in females than in males. Primary hypothyroidism was 4.5 times more common in females. Hypothyroidism was twice as compared to hyperthyroidism (2.25 times). The occurrence of thyroid disorders in order of decreasing frequency was primary hypothyroidism 63.3%, primary hyperthyroidism 28.1%, subclinical hypothyroidism was 4.4%, secondary hypothyroidism 1.4%, subclinical hyperthyroidism 1.4%, secondary hyperthyroidism 0.7% and T3 toxicosis 0.7%. The study also shows that young adult in the range of 16-40 years are more likely to suffer from thyroid illness. Conclusion: Thyroid disorders are 5 times more common in females than males. Primary hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder followed by primary hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is twice as common as hyperthyroidism. Sub clinical hypothyroidism is found in 4.3% predominantly in females. T3 toxicosis was found in 0.7% predominantly in male subject. Secondary thyroid disorders are much less common than primary disorders. Younger adults in the age of 16-40 years are more susceptible to thyroid disorders.