[Analysis on clinical characteristics of primary hypothyroidism-induced mental disorder]

To summarize the clinical features and early diagnostic evidence for mental disorders due to primary hypothyroidism after primary overactive thyroid surgery or 131I therapy.

The retrospective analysis was conducted on 15 patients in terms of the clinical features with primary hypothyroidism-induced mental disorder after primary overactive thyroid surgery or 131I therapy. The data regarding past history of hyperthyroidism parallel operation or 131I treatment, thyroid function biochemical indexes were collected.

The free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) were decreased, while thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was increased. The clinical symptoms included lazy, fatigue, and mood swings accompanied by mental retardation, behavioral disorders, hallucinations and delusions. Particularly, the severe patients were of disturbance of consciousness.

The clinical features of primary hypothyroidism-induced mental disorder are diverse and variable. It is not difficult to diagnose the mental disorder if the attention is paid on the medical history inquiry and thyroid function tests. However, it is easy to be misdiagnosed and missed diagnosis.