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. 2017 Mar;32(1):106-114.
doi: 10.3803/EnM.2017.32.1.106. Epub 2017 Jan 23.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Reference Range and Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in the Korean Population: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013 to 2015

Won Gu Kim  1 , Won Bae Kim  1 , Gyeongji Woo  2 , Hyejin Kim  2 , Yumi Cho  2 , Tae Yong Kim  1 , Sun Wook Kim  3 , Myung Hee Shin  4 , Jin Woo Park  5 , Hai Lin Park  6 , Kyungwon Oh  7 , Jae Hoon Chung  8
Affiliations

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Reference Range and Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in the Korean Population: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013 to 2015

Won Gu Kim et al. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2017 Mar.

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: No nationwide epidemiological study evaluating the prevalence of subclinical and overt forms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism has yet been conducted in Korea. This study aimed to evaluate the reference range of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and the national prevalence of thyroid dysfunctions in Korea.

Methods: Nation-wide cross-sectional data were analyzed from a representative sample of the civilian, non-institutionalized Korean population (n=6,564) who underwent blood testing for thyroid function and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) as part of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI (2013 to 2015).

Results: The reference interval of serum TSH in the Korean reference population was 0.62 to 6.68 mIU/L. Based on this reference interval, the prevalence of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism was 0.73% (males 0.40%, females 1.10%) and 3.10% (males 2.26%, females 4.04%), respectively. The prevalence of hypothyroidism increased with age until the age group between 50 to 59 years. Positive TPOAb were found in 7.30% of subjects (males 4.33%, females 10.62%). The prevalence of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism TPOAb-positive subjects was 5.16% and 10.88%, respectively. The prevalence of overt and subclinical hyperthyroidism was 0.54% (males 0.30%, females 0.81%) and 2.98% (males 2.43%, females, 3.59%), respectively.

Conclusion: The Serum TSH reference levels in the Korean population were higher than the corresponding levels in Western countries. Differences were found in the prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism according to age, sex, and TPOAb positivity. This study provides important baseline information for understanding patterns of thyroid dysfunction and diseases in Korea.

Keywords: Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism; Prevalence; Thyroid gland; Thyrotropin.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Prevalence of overt and subclinical thyroid dysfunction according to age and gender in Korea. (A) Prevalence of overt hypothyroidism and (B) subclinical hypothyroidism. (C) Prevalence of overt hyperthyroidism and (D) subclinical hyperthyroidism.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Prevalence of subjects with positive anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) results according to age and gender in Korea.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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