Epidemiology

Central hypothyroidism is rare and accounts for less than 1% of hypothyroid cases.[2] It most frequently occurs as a sporadic form of hypothyroidism and can affect patients of all ages, with no sex predominance.[1][3]  

The prevalence of central hypothyroidism ranges from 1 in 16,000 to about 1 in 100,000 in the general adult or neonatal populations.[3] Variability in worldwide prevalence data can mostly be attributed to differences in screening programs.[1] For example, if thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are measured in isolation, congenital central hypothyroidism is often undiagnosed, as it is most typically associated with low to normal levels of circulating TSH with concomitantly low levels of free thyroxine.[1] 

Pituitary adenomas are the most common cause of central hypothyroidism. Secreting adenomas (prolactinomas), growth hormone-secreting adenomas, and nonsecretory adenomas account for more than half of the cases.[4]

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