Publication:

Hospital based study to evaluate subclinical hypothyroidism in post-menopausal women

Background Very few studies have assessed prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in postmenopausal women. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in postmenopausal women.

Methods Hospital based cross - sectional study carried out at Saveetha Medical College, Chennai, during the period of August 2016 to October 2016. Seventy-five women in General Surgery ward/OPD were included in the study. Subjects included in the study were postmenopausal age group between 45 to 85 years, provided they fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria. History was noted, serum Thyroid function test was done. Results were noted and analyzed.

Results Out of 75 subjects, 21.3% of postmenopausal women were having subclinical hypothyroidism.

Conclusions Prevalence of Subclinical hypothyroidism is high among postmenopausal women, which leads to overt hypothyroidism. Therefore, routine screening and treatment of this condition is must among postmenopausal women to prevent complications of subclinical hypothyroidism.