ABSTRACT
Background: The clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism are variable, depending upon its cause, duration and severity. The spectrum extends from subclinical to overt hypothyroidism to myxedema coma. A high degree of suspicion is thus required in order to appreciate the clinical manifestation of the disorder to reach a diagnosis. Purpose of this study was to correlate serum TSH level with severity of clinical manifestations and evaluate possible cause of delay in the diagnosis.Methods: A cross section observational and descriptive study for the assessment of severity of primary hypothyroidism at presentation and evaluation of the causes of delay in diagnosis in 86 patients was done from December 2012 to November 2013 in the Department of Medicine, MGM Medical College, Indore, MP, India.Results: Illiterate patients had significantly (p value 0.002) higher TSH values at presentation. 34.8% of patients presented as severe hypothyroidism with TSH value >100 mIU/L. Delay of as much as 7 years was noted. Majority of patients had a delay of around 1 to 3 years in diagnosis. Only 4.6% patients were diagnosed without any delay due to high level of suspicion at presentation.Conclusions: Due to non-specific symptomatology of hypothyroidism diagnosis is often delayed. Therefore, high index of suspicion is required at the physician抯 level and test of thyroid function is available at subsided cost therefore it should be offered to all such patients.
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Background: Anti-inflammatory effects of statins have generated maximum interest, as has been demonstrated in a number of studies showing rapid decrease in CRP levels in patients of acute coronary syndromes. This CRP lowering property of statins has also translated into clinical benefits as suggested by reduction in rate of recurrent angina, recurrent myocardial infarction, and mortality.Methods: This prospective, open, and controlled study was conducted on 160 indoor and outdoor patients, for total duration of two years (2005-2006), in GMC Bhopal, MP, India.Results: In all the four groups, baseline serum hs-CRP was statistically significant (p value <0.01) higher than normal hs-CRP level. Mean reduction (%) in hs-CRP after 3 months of statin therapy was 83.6% in group A and 62.4% in group C which is highly significant (p value <0.001). In group B also, 26% hs-CRP reduction was noticed which is statistically significant (p value <0.01). Baseline hs-CRP was statistically significant high (p value <0.01) in hypertensive patients. Percentages reduction in group A (87%) and group C (66%) was statistically significant (p value <0.01). Baseline hs-CRP was statistically significant higher (p value <0.01) than normal population. After 3 months of statin therapy percentage reduction in group A and group C was statistically significant (p value <0.01). Conclusions: Low dose atorvastatin can significantly reduce CRP level in patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Early initiation of low dose atorvastatin can reduce this inflammatory marker in both ACS and high risk for ACS patients and can prevent major adverse cardiac events.
ABSTRACT
Background: The presence of raised serum TSH with serum free T4 and T3 within the reference range falls in subclinical hypothyroidism. It is a well-known fact that exercise affects the activity of thyroid glands and the production of their hormones. Author studied the effect of regular exercise in patients of newly diagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism. Pre and post-exercise thyroid function tests were evaluated to decide about the necessity to start thyroid replacement therapy or to adopt wait and watch policy.Methods: Study enrolled 100 newly diagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism patients attending this tertiary care hospital and randomised them in two groups, one group was subjected to regular physical exercise of 45-60 minutes daily along with supervised treadmill exercise stage 0 for 45-60 minutes once weekly followed by re-evaluation of thyroid function test after 30 days and second group was re-evaluated for thyroid function test without exercise after 30 days.Results: Thyroid profile parameters were compared and analysed by paired ‘t’ test, statistically significant increase in serum T3 (p value <0.05) and serum T4 (p value <0.05), along with significant reduction in TSH level (p value <0.05) were found in exercise group, while in non-exercise group changes in thyroid profile parameters were statistically not significant. There was significant reduction in mean weight in exercise group (p value <0.05), while in non-exercise group changes in weight were not significant.Conclusions: Present study concluded that regular physical exercise can improve thyroid function in patients of newly diagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism and convert them to euthyroid state.
ABSTRACT
Background: Estrogen therapy in younger postmenopausal women is associated with a decisive reduction in morbidity and mortality, but estrogen use in this population is low because of risk of side effects. Weekly intermittent therapy is a more patient friendly approach with reduced pill burden increasing compliance and adherence as well as reducing side effects. Therefore, authors wanted to study the effect of weekly intermittent fixed dose estrogen and progesterone (ultra-low dose) supplements in hysterectomised surgically menopaused women.Methods: The present study was prospective and retrospective study. For retrospective study authors records of 100 hysterectomised women up to 45years of age with severe post-menopausal symptoms treated in authors Medicine Department of Hospital with once weekly MALA-D tablets were studied. For prospective study, all consecutive hysterectomised patients with severe post-menopausal symptoms attending medicine OPD were given once weekly MALA-D which contains ethinylestradiol 0.03mg and levonorgestrel 0.15mg tablets and followed up monthly with outcomes measured by Modified Kuppermann Index, visual analogue scale, and women’s health questionnaires.Results: Present retrospective study showed moderate degree of postmenopausal symptoms as indicated by Modified Kuppermann index of 19.57. Prospective study showed significant improvement in postmenopausal symptoms with weekly intermittent hormone replacement therapy as indicated by outcomes measured by Modified Kupperman index and Visual analogue scale. Women’s health questionnaire also showed statistically significant improvement in 6 out of 8 dimensions.Conclusions: Authors concluded that weekly estrogen progesterone hormone replacement therapy with mala-D tablet (ultra-low dose therapy) was 100% effective in relieving vasomotor symptoms and it is very effective in improving psychosomatic symptoms, urinary symptoms and quality of life with no obvious side effects and greater adherence.
ABSTRACT
Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a biochemical diagnosis wherein free T4 is within normal range while serum TSH value >5mIU/L. We aimed to study effects of alternate day fixed dose thyroxine therapy on this subset of patients with a 3month follow up of various clinical and biochemical parameters.Methods: It was an interventional trial. Fifty consecutive consenting participants with SCH aged 18-45 years were started on alternate day 50µg thyroxine and were observed for 3 months for changes in body mass index, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, serum TSH, T3 and T4 levels.Results: Forty four out of fifty participants had initial TSH levels between 5-10 µU/mL and at the end of 3 months, 58% of these (n=29/44) shown improved thyroid profile as their TSH fell to the target 2-4 µU/mL. Seven participants’ (n=7,14%) turned into iatrogenic hyperthyroidism as their T3 and T4 levels rose above normal and TSH levels fell to below 1 µU/mL. Another 7 participants (n=7,14%) showed increased T3 and T4 levels (n=3, n=4 respectively) above normal range with TSH still within normal range. One patient (n=1,2%) had persistently raised TSH levels. Out of 6 participants (n=6,12%) who had initial TSH>10 µU/mL, 3 participants achieved normal TSH with alternate day therapy (n=3,6%) while 3 participants did not achieve euthyroid status (n=3,6%). Authors observed decrease in cholesterol levels (initial=183.18±52.96 mg/dL, final=170.04±42.13 mg/dL, p<0.05). It lead to reduction in weight (initial BMI=24.11±5.69, final=23.33±5.30, p<0.05).Conclusions: Authors found that treatment of SCH with alternative day thyroxine therapy is effective in normalizing TSH values. Its dose needs to be titrated according to TSH levels to avoid side effects. It decreased cost of therapy resulting in good compliance in noncompliant patients and reduced pill burden helped the patients in adhering to the therapy.