Publication:

Prevalence of hypothyroidism in adults by screening TSH: a study from North India

Background Hypothyroidism is a common endocrinological problem worldwide. There are no sufficient studies on the prevalance of hypothyroidism in different geographical territories of India. The present study is a cross sectional study to determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism in adults in north India.

Methods A total of 300 asymptomatic individuals of both sexes attending OPD of a tertiary health care centre and their willing attendants of the age group of 15 to 50 years were included in the study. TSH screening was performed on all of them and results obtained were analysed.

Results A total of 66 participants were detected hypothyroidism (subclinical as well as overt). Subclinical hypothyroidism was the commonest entity encountered, females affected more than males.

Conclusions Subclinical as well as overt hypothyroidisms are significantly common in this part of the world. Screening TSH should be done in patients presenting with undiagnosed fatigue and weight gain.