ABSTRACT
This study was designed to evaluate the common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism in persons with clinical diagnosis of hypothyroidism that was confirmed with laboratory tests. This descriptive cross-sectional study was done during 13 months in medical centers of Shahrood city, in central part of Iran. All cases with probable diagnosis of hypothyroidism based on the signs and symptoms, referred to health care services were included in the study. Radioimmunoassay tests and thyroid hormones evaluation were done. Demographic data and signs were recorded through interview. Data were entered in the computer and analyzed by SPSS software. Patients who completed questionnaires [n=50] were interviewed three times during this period. Female/male ratio was 6/1. The most common signs were cold intolerance [95%], weight gain and menorrhagia. The most common symptoms were edema [80%] and pallor [60%]. The severe disease was seen in 4%. Mild type was the most common presentation of hypothyroidism [60%]. The most common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism in the central part of Iran [Shahrood city], that is one of the iodine deficient areas in Iran; were different from other studies. Socio-demographic and nutritional status, illiteracy level and personal self-care are among the probable causes. Unfortunately, concomitance of some of the signs and symptoms are not diagnostic for hypothyroidism. It seems that strong clinical suspicious and laboratory confirmation are the only reliable methods for hypothyroidism diagnosis