EARLIEST SYMPTOM & SIGN FOR WHICH HYPOTHYROIDISM IS SUSPECTED

Abstract

Background: The thyroid hormone maintains the level of metabolism in the tissues that is optimal for their normal function. Traditional symptoms of hypothyroidism have been well known to medical practiioners. Yet hypothyroidism often remains undetected Aims and Objectives: To study the first symptom and sign that helps to diagnose hypothyroid state Materials and MethodsThe study design is cross-sectional: all patients, regardless of results of physical examination, underwent the reference standard test (thyroid hormone assays) at the same point of time. All screened patients in the age group of 14 and above are considered for the study Results: Dry skin and cold sensitive skin were found to be the most common symptom amongst 100 subjects out of which 18% of the population had each of these symptoms being the first symptom that helped in diagnosing hypothyroid state. The most common physical sign out of 100 subjects was found to be delayed relaxation of ankle jerk, out of which 30% of the subjects had their first clinical sign being delayed ankle jerk that helped to diagnose hypothyroid state. The next more common physical sign out of 100 subjects was found to be bradykinesia/slow movements, out of which 22% of the subjects were diagnosed hypothyroid state considering it being the first sign. Conclusion The most common symptom noted in symptom profile of hypothyroidism was dry skin and cold sensitivity, which was seen in 68% respectively,of which 18% of the cases were diagnosed hypothyroidism through these symptom. The most common feature noted in clinical profile of hypothyroidism was delayed relaxation of ankle jerk, which was seen in 92% of which 30% of the cases were diagnosed hypothyroidism through this clinical sign. The traditional symptoms, clinical examination and signs are valuable and more efficacious when deciding which patients to be tested for hypothyroidism