Objective

To determine the prevalence of subclinical thyroid dysfunction in the student community of Universidad Católica in Manizales.

Materials and Methods

Descriptive cross-sectional study in which 160 students of Universidad Católica in Manizales participated during 2012 and 2013; these students were educated through an advertising strategy about thyroid dysfunction and then a survey was applied. Informed consent was obtained and medical evaluation of nodules and goiter, blood sampling, processing and determination of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were performed.

Results

A correspondence analysis (optimal scaling) established that related variables such as average body mass index (BMI) 24.12 (normal 18.5 to 24.99), female gender (87.5 %), and mixed race (61 %) showed high correspondence with the normal values of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) according to the values provided by the trading house (0,39-6,16 µIU/ml) and the age range 20-25 years (50 %). No evidence of a relation between family history, presence of goiter and nodules was found.

Conclusions

Student population Universidad Católica in Manizales did not present subclinical thyroid dysfunction.