Epidemological Study of Hypothyroidsm in Women of Reproductive Age in Lower Assam

Introduction: Thyroid disorders are common in reproductive age of female. In various studies done in different part of India, it is found that thyroid disorders are the one of the most common endocrine disorders among female in reproductive age group. Thyroid disease is the second most common cause of endocrine dysfunction in the women of child bearing age after diabetes. Thyroid disease is known to affect many aspects of pregnancy and postpartum health, as well as the health of the baby. The main aim of this study to find out hypothyroidsm among reproductive age of female population of lower Assam as no such studies was done in lower Assam. Material and Method: This was a cross-sectional, multi-centered epidemiology study conducted at different places of lower Assam which include which include Barpeta, BongaiGaon, and Baksa district of Assam. This study subjects were women aged 1845 years. Known cases of other medical disorders and women who did not give consent for TSH estimation were excluded from the study. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) assay was done in all blood samples as a screening test for thyroid disease. TSH assay was performed using Serum TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) levels were measured in the Central Clinical Laboratory (Biochemistry) of FAA Medical College. Abnormal TSH values were grouped into three categories: (a) Mild TSH elevation: TSH of 4.510 mIU/ml (b) Significant TSH elevation: TSH greater than 10mIU/ml (c) Suppressed TSH: TSH less than0.4 mIU/ml. Results: The overall prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in this study was 17.31 %. The most common abnormality in our study was elevated TSH (79.1 %). Of the 79.1 %, the majority (69.3 %) had mild TSH elevation (4.510 mIU/ml). The majority of this group could have sub-clinical hypothyroidism. A small number in this group could also have overt hypothyroidism (with low free T4) and rarely may have central hypothyroidism. TSH value greater than 10 mIU/ml was found in 9.8 % of our subjects. Low TSH (less than0.4 mIU/ml) was seen in 20.8 % of the study population. Majority of female with elevated TSH were from higher age group. Conclusion: In our study we found that more 13.7 % of women in their reproductive age group in lower Assam was suffering from Hypothyroidsm ( Both subclinical and overt hypothyroidsm) which is alarmingly high in comparison to other studies. And the female with higher age group suffers from hypothyroidism than younger One.