Comparative study of female hypothyroid patients having autoimmune thyroiditis with the clinico-pathological parameters

Introduction: Hypothyroidism during reproductive age group is responsible for menstrual irregularities, infertility along with miscarriages and congenital malformation s during pregnancy. It has a prevalence of 5-20% in child bearing age. Autoimmune thyroiditis is the common cause of subclinical hypothyroidism in adult female population. Presence of thyroid autoantibodies is high in subclinical hypothyroidism. American Thyroid Association (ATA) & American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist (AACE) recommends for treatment of these patients. Lack of obvious signs and symptoms in subclinical hypothyroidism creates dilemma and challenge for diagnosis. Hypothesis: This was a retrospective study conducted in Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bhubaneswar during the period from January 2017 to January 2019. Women of reproductive age group having thyroid swellings were subjected to Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), Thyroid function test and Anti TPO Ab levels in serum. Cytological grading was done and it was correlated with clinical presentation and serological parameters. Results: Out of 120 cases, 56.7% patients were hypothyroid. Increased titre of Anti- TPO Ab levels in serum was observed in 91.4%, 95.3% and 95% cases of Grade I, Grade II & Grade III categories of autoimmune thyroiditis respectively. Conclusion: Autoimmune thyroiditis is the common cause of hypothyroidism in adult females. Early detection and management with low dose of thyroxine will prevent the complications during reproductive period. Keywords: Autoimmune thyroiditis, Hypothyroidism, Anti-TPO Antibody, TFT.