Thyroid Function and Anti-TPO Antibody Status among Tribal Perimenopausal Women Near Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Introduction: Higher prevalence of thyroid diseases are noted with increasing age. Symptoms of thyroid disorders often develop so insidiously, that they go unnoticed and there is also the risk of being misinterpreted for menopausal symptoms. Present study was executed in view of paucity of data regarding thyroid disorders among tribal perimenopausal age group and there was a need for timely intervention of this chronic non-communicable disorder among these women. Aim: To determine the thyroid function and anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (anti-TPO Ab) status among the tribal perimenopausal women. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of six months from July 2017 to December 2017 among perimenopausal women in the age group of 40-55 years residing at Hakki Pikki Tribal Colony near Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Total T-3 (Total Tri iodothyronine), Total T-4 (Total Tetraidiodothyronine) and anti-TPO antibody levels were estimated by Chemiluminescence Immuno Assay (CLIA). Data was analysed using Open Epi software to find out Mean +/- SD, p-value (student's t-test with significance set at p<0.05) and r-value (Pearson's correlation coefficient). Results: Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SCH) was observed in 3 (7.32%) women and anti-TPO Ab positivity (anti-TPO antibody level >30 IU/mL) was found in 14 (34.14%) women amongst 41 perimenopausal subjects. Raised anti-TPO Ab was observed in all the 3 (100%) SCH women and 11 (26.82%) euthyroid women. Significant difference (p<0.001) between anti-TPO Ab values among SCH and euthyroid women with significant positive correlation (r-value 0.7023 and p<0.05) between TSH and anti-TPO Ab values in anti-TPO Ab positive women was noted. Conclusion: Anti-TPO Ab positivity was seen in 34% of perimenopausal women, out of them majority 79% was in euthyroid state and 21% had SCH. Hence in addition to routine thyroid profile, we suggest estimation of anti-TPO Ab levels in this age group.