Distribution of subclinical thyroid disease and other primary thyroid disorders in a tertiary care center

Background: Thyroid dysfunctions are common endocrine problems. They account for a considerable morbidity and mortality. Subclinical thyroid diseases especially subclinical hypothyroidism is a common clinical entity that encompass mild degree of thyroid dysfunction, clinical significance and management of which is still under study.(1) previous data show about half of the population with thyroid disease remain undiagnosed.(2) Thyroid disease may occur at any age and in both genders but its occurrence differs among geographical areas and in different age and sex groups.(3) Several studies are available about the distribution of thyroid diseases in west. However there are only limited Indian studies in this regard and there are variations in prevalence rates in different studies.(4) In one study from cochin prevalence of hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism were 3.9% and 9.4% respectively.(5) In other studies from Mumbai and Puducherry it was found to be 10.9% and 11.3% respectively.(6,7) Prevalence rates of subclinical hyperthyroidism and overt hyperthyroidism was 0.6% and 1.2% in one study and 1.6% and 1.3% respectively in another study.(5,6,7) Hence this study aims to find out the distribution of various thyroid disorders in the study population in this geographical area. Materials and Methods: The study comprised of 164 subjects including 26 males and 138 females in the age group of 10-80 years. History and physical examination of the patients were carried out as per standard protocols. The thyroid profile i.e., TSH, T3, T4, fT3, fT4 was tested using ECLIA(electrochemiluminescence). Results: It was found that primary hypothyroidism is 5 times more common in females than males. Primary hypothyroidism is 1.76 times common than primary hyperthyroidism. The occurrence of subclinical hypothyroidism is 11.58% and it is 18 times more common in females. Conclusion: In this study it was found that the occurrence of subclinical hypothyroidism was quite high amounti