Subclinical Hypothyroidism; Clinical Features among the Young Adult Females, Hyderabad Telangana, IndiaF

Abstract

Clinical manifestations of thyroid dysfunction vary considerably among patients in their character and severity. Associated symptoms and signs are often non-specific and progress slowly. As per American thyroid association guidelines for detecting thyroid dysfunction (2000), several symptoms and signs are the well-established manifestations of thyroid dysfunction. As per the available literature, in a patient with Subclinical Hypothyroidism and no suspicion of pituitary abnormality, a serum TSH concentration assessment is sufficient for monitoring thyroid status and adjusting the dose of thyroid hormone. (Christian, 2016). This study aimed to assess the existence and severity of various signs and symptoms of subclinical Hypothyroidism and to measure the TSH levels of participants. The study was conducted on 180 young adult females suffering from Subclinical Hypothyroidism and staying in different hostels in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Symptom severity was assessed by using the developed and standardized rating scale. In addition, the TSH levels of the subjects were measured by collecting blood samples from the issues. In the present study majority (31.1%) of the subjects are B. Tech students and at the age group of 20 – 22 years (70.6%) in both groups. More percentage (78.3%) of the subjects belongs to the Hindu religion in both the groups. Subjects with the nativity of Hyderabad have occupied a more effective rate (38.3%) in both groups. The majority of the subjects are drinking municipal water. The percentage of subjects with ‘A’ blood group were high (39.4%) in both groups. More than half the percentage (57.2%) of the subjects use mostly iodized salts in their diet. 53.3 percent of the subjects followed three meal per day pattern. The maximum percentage (72.8%) of the subjects are taking fish and fish products monthly once only. 59.4 percent of the subjects are consuming weekly once goitrogenic foods. Three-fourths of subjects (77.2%) take more than 250 ml of milk and milk products per day. 15.6 percent of the subjects have a family history of medical disorders. At the same time, 23.3 percent of subjects have a family history of thyroid problems. The highest percentage (71.4%) among the family members were the subjects’ mothers. The severity of symptoms related to subclinical Hypothyroidism before and after supplementation among experimental and control group subjects; using the checklist, symptoms were rated as 0-normal, 1- a mild symptom, 2-moderate symptom, and 3-severe symptom. Symptoms which are mild among the majority (60-70%) of the subjects are tiredness and sluggishness, dryness of skin, muscle Weakness, poor memory depression, puffiness of eyes, puffiness of hands and feet, difficulty with calculations, hard stools and brittle nails. The moderate symptoms among the majority (60-70%) of the subjects are irregular periods, excessive menstrual flow, easy weight gain, constantly feeling cold, and dryness of hair. Symptom of unusual hair loss is severe among more than half percent (52%) of the subjects. Symptom of slow thinking is not seen among 62% of the subjects. Forty-five percent of the subjects have serum TSH levels ranging between 5-10 mIU /ml. 26.67% of the subjects had 3-;5 mIU/ml, and the remaining 26.11 percent had 10- 15 mIU/ml. The majority of the subjects have a minimum of 5-6 symptoms related to Subclinical Hypothyroidism.