Clinical Review of Thyroid Dysfunction in the Subjects for Health Check-up / 대한갑상선학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thyroid disorders are common endocrine disease with various clinical symptoms. Biochemical function tests are important to detect thyroid function disorders, but guideline for screening of thyroid dysfunction is controversial. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of thyroid dysfunctions with analyses of public screening and follow-up results on our hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 3309 subjects (1753 men, 1556 women) that visited in our health promotion center for periodic health examination from January to June 2007, with review of medical records. Serum T3, Free T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations were measured with radioimmunoassay using commercial kits, and ultrasonogram and scan of thyroid were conducted if needed. RESULTS: The study showed the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was 11.8% (389 cases) and among the subjects, prevalence of undiagnosed hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were 1.8% (7 cases) and 3.1% (12 cases), subclinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism was 0.5% (2 cases) and 4.9% (19 cases). However, prevalence of normal thyroid function with follow up clinically was 37.3% (145 cases). CONCLUSION: This study indicates significance of screening and confirmation through follow-up for thyroid disorders with high prevalence of thyroid dysfunctions with guidelines to minimize the false positive results.