PREVALENCE OF THYROID DYSFUNCTION IN NAMAKKAL DISTRICT -A HOSPITAL-BASED STUDY.

Introduction: Thyroid disorders are most common endocrine disorder in India but the prevalence studies on these dysfunction is limited. Materials and method:   All subjects who visited the hospital for a period of four months to have thyroid function tests (TFTs) on their first outpatient visit were included in the study. Results:   Thyroid disordrs  were present in 22.11 % of the total 2510 subjects . The prevalence rate was higher in females (64.8%) than males (35.2%)  with (p=0.0003).The prevalence of hypothyroidism in the study population was 64.32 % (n = 357). In our study those with primary  hypothyroidism were predominant  (55.18 %, 197 out of 357) and  43.1 % (154 out of 357) were having sub clinical hypothyroidism and 6 of 357 were having secondary hypothyroidism.The prevalence rate of hyperthyroidism was 52.6 % (n-188) . The majority were subclinical hyperthyroidism (65.90 % , 124 out of 188) ,30.8 % (58 out of 188) had primary  hyperthyroidism and3% ( 6 out of 188) had secondary hyperthyroidismConclusion: In our study thyroid function abnormalities were noted  in 15.73 % of all subjects. Thyroid disorders were common in age of >20 years   than 20-40 ,40-60 and and >60  year categories.  The prevalence of primary hypothyroidism was found to be higher than subclinical hypothyroidism,while in hyperthyroidism subclinical condition was predominant compared to primary hyperthyroidism.