PREVALENCE OF VARIOUS DEGREES OF HYPOTHYROIDISM AMONG PATIENTS OF A GENERAL MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

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Abstract
Basal thyrotropin (TSH) was measured in 945 consecutive patients of a general medical department. Additional thyroid tests were carried out in patients with elevated TSH. Thirty patients (3.1%) had subclinical hypothyroidism, i.e., an elevated TSH with no clinical signs and with a normal free thyroxine index. A cause was found in only 15 of these 30 patients. Thirteen additional patients (1.37%) had mild or overt primary hypothyroidism, 3 of which were already diagnosed. This prevalence is 3 times higher than that found in a retrospective survey at the same hospital. Of the 10 newly-detected cases 5 were discharged on thyroid hormone replacement. In 2 patients the antithyroid drugs which were the cause of hypothyroidism were discontinued. The remaining 3 patients had severe non-thyroidal illnesses and thyroid hormone was not prescribed. A cause for the hypothyroidism (autoimmune thyroid disease, post-radioiodine, post-thyroidectomy or antithyroid drugs) was established in all but 2 cases. Apparently thyroid function tests (preferably a TSH) should be performed on any patient with prior treatment to the thyroid and, in addition with very broad indications, perhaps even routinely, in all women over 50 yr of age.