CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF SPONTANEOUS PRIMARY HYPOTHYROIDISM IN ADULTS

In a retrospective study of 309 cases of hypothyroidism seen dt King F ahd Hospital of the University (KFHU), Al-Khobar, 124 (90 Saudis and 3 4 non-Saudis) adult patients with spontaneous primary hypothyroidism s atisfied the inclusion criteria for detailed analysis. Their male:fema le ratios for Saudis and non-Saudis were 1:4.6 and 1:3.9 respectively. The majority were diagnosed in their third and fourth decades. The pr evalence of previously undiagnosed spontaneous and biochemically overt primary hypothyroidism in Saudis was 5.2/1000 females and 0.94/1000 m ales. FT4I was normal in 43 (35%)and low in 81 (65%). FT4I correlated with cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, hoarseness, delayed ref lex relaxation, and coarse and cold skin. In rank order, presenting sy mptoms in those with low FT4I were tiredness (56%), cold intolerance ( 38%), constipation, weight gain, menstrual disturbance - especially am enorrhea - (36% each), dry skin (35%), hoarseness (31%); signs were co arse skin (53%), delayed reflex relaxation (32%), cold skin and goiter (24% each). The above clinical findings may provide more data on this disease in this country.