SUBCLINICAL THYROID DISORDERS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH DYSLIPIDAEMIA AT A TERTIARY CARE INSTITUTE

BACKGROUND Subclinical thyroid disorders with altered Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level, yet normal circulating levels of free thyroid hormones (FT4) include subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism. The prevalence of subclinical thyroid disorders is found to be increasing in our country and subclinical hypothyroidism is known to be linked with hypercholesterolemia. Hence, we intend to find the prevalence of subclinical thyroid diseases and its association with lipid profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was done on 253 female medical students of PES institute of medical Sciences and research who were willing to participate in the study. Free T4 (FT4) and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels were estimated by Enzyme Linked Immuno-Fluorescent Assay (ELFA). Lipid Profile of the subjects including total cholesterol, serum triglyceride, HDL, LDL, VLDL was estimated using VITROS instrument. Based on the levels of TSH and FT4 the students were categorized as euthyroid, subclinical hypothyroid and subclinical hyperthyroid. RESULTS The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism was found to be 8.3% and 1.58% respectively among the study population. A statistically significant decrease in FT4 levels as the TSH levels increased was seen. As the TSH value increased, HDL levels significantly decreased, and the LDL levels were found to be increased significantly. CONCLUSION Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is found to be high in our study. The students with subclinical hypothyroidism were found to have significantly increased levels of LDL and decreased levels of HDL, which is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, hypertension and coronary heart disease. Hence early detection of subclinical thyroid disorders would help us prevent the individual from developing the overt disease and its complications.