Abstract
Introduction: Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as elevated serum TSH concentration with normal Free Thyroxine (FT4) and Free Triiodothyronine (FT3) concentrations, unaccompanied by clinical signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. It is reportedly a common thyroid disorder affecting 3-15% of the adult population in different parts of world. Community-based studies on prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in general adult population of India are almost non-existent. Hence, the present study was undertaken to find out the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in general adult population of Rajasthan, a North Indian state.
Material and Methods: This study was conducted on 800 adult subjects of both sexes selected randomly from Amber Tehsil of Jaipur District (Rajasthan). Serum thyroid profile (FT3, FT4 and TSH) was analyzed by chemiluminescence. Serum TSH above 5 µIU/ml (with normal FT3 and FT4) was considered as subclinical hypothyroidism.
Results: Subclinical hypothyroidism (serum TSH above 5 µIU/ml with normal FT3 and FT4) was detected in 10.25% (N=82) of the study subjects. The prevalence was 12.8% in women and 8.8% in men.
Conclusion: The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was found to be10.25% in adult population of the study area. The prevalence was higher in women than in men.
References
- Hollowell JG, Staehling NW, Flander WD, Hannon WH, Guter EW, Spencer CA, et al. Serum TSH, T4, and thyroid antibodies in the United States population (1988 to 1994): National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002; 87(2):489-99.
- Hoogendoorn EH, Hermus AR, de Vegt F, Ross HA, Verbeek ALM, Kiemeney LALM, et al. Thyroid function and prevalence of anti-thyroperoxidase in a population with borderline sufficient iodine intake: Influences of Age and Sex. Clin. Chem. 2006; 52(1):104-11.
- Unnikrishnan AG, Kalra S, Sahay RK, Bantwal G, John M, Tewari N. Prevalence of hypothyroidism in adults: An epidemiological study in eight cities of India. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2013; 17(4): 647–652.
- Cooper DS.Subclinical hypothyroidism. N Engl J Med. 2001; 345(4): 260-65.
- Ayala AR, Danese MD, Ladenson PW. When to treat mild hypothyroidism. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2000; 29(2):399-15.
- Ayala C, Cozar MV, Rodriguez JR, Silva H,Pereira JL, García-Luna PP. Subclinical thyroid disease in institutionalized healthy geriatric population. Med Clin (Barc). 2001; 117(14):534–35.
- Nakajima Y, Yamada M. Subclinical thyroid disease. Nihon Rinsho. 2012;70 (11):1865-71
- Robbins J, Rall JE. The iodine-containing hormones. In: Gray CH, James VHT, eds. Hormones in Blood. Vol 1. 3rd ed. London: Academic Press, 1979;632-667.
- Robbins J, Rall JE. The interaction of thyroid hormones and protein in biological fluids. Recent ProgHorm Res.1957; 13:161-208.
- Wheeler MH, Lazarus JH. Diseases of the Thyroid. London, Glasgow, Weinheim, New York, Tokyo, Melbourne, Madras: Chapman and Hall Medical.1994:108-115.
- Deshmukh V, Behl A, Iyer V, Joshi H, Dholye JP, Varthakavi PK. Prevalence, clinical and biochemical profile of subclinical hypothyroidism in normal population in Mumbai. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2013; 17(3): 454–459.
- Shekhar R, Chowdary NVS, Das MC, Desai V, Prabodh S.Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in coastal Andhra Pradesh. Biomedical Research 2011; 22 (4): 471-474.
- Menon UV, Sundaram KR, Unnikrishnan AG, Jayakumar RV, Nair V, Kumar H. High prevalence of undetected thyroid disorders in an iodine sufficient adult south Indian population. J Indian Med Assoc. 2009; 107(2):72-77.
Corresponding Author
Sunil Kumar
Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jaipur
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i3.103
