Abstract. Introduction: The Bastar region receives heavy rainfall and frequent flooding, leading to depletion of iodine from the superficial soil layer. Also, consumption of sea food is deficient in this area. Hence, these sources of iodine deficiency raises concerns about the thyroid status of Bastar residents. Thyroid dysfunction is a common endocrine disorder that has signs and symptoms that mimic those of other common diseases. Methods: The signs and symptoms of 150 subjects who visited the General Medicine Department, Govt. Medical College, in Jagdalpur raised the possibility that they had thyroid disease. That their signs and symptoms were not explained by non-thyroid diseases constituted the study inclusion criterion. The subjects were analyzed for levels of tri-iodothyronine (T3), tetra-iodothyronine (T4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Data was analyzed by Anova tests and correlation analyses. Results: Based on their thyroid hormone and TSH levels, subjects were classified into four groups: 20.66% were euthyroid, 59.33% were hypothyroidism, 12.66% had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 7.33% were hyperthyroidism. Some males (n = 15, 10%) but mostly females (n = 135, 90%) were included in the study. T3, T4 and TSH levels significantly differed between all four groups (p < 0.001). The study also analyzed the correlation between T3, T4 and TSH in different groups. Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism should be treated with thyroid hormone therapy to prevent progression to overt hypothyroidism and other clinical manifestations. Inclusion of non-goitrogenic foods and exclusion of goitrogenic foods also should be recommended to patients who have thyroid dysfunction.

Keywords • Hypothyroidism • Hyperthyroidism • Subclinical hypothyroidism • Thyroid stimulating hormone • Tri-iodothyronine (T3) • Tetra-iodothyronine (T4)

Citation: Skaria, L.K., Sarkar, P.D., Agnihotram, G., Thakur, A.S., and Pamidamarri, G.: Thyroid dysfunctions in tribal women of the Bastar Region of Chattisgharh, India. Thyroid Science, 6(6):1-5, 2011.