The risk of hypothyroidism does not remain the same across entire population. It changes depending upon sex, age and with presence or absence of other autoimmune disorders.

The following is the list of such factors which will serve as needle of 'suspicion' and may help in early diagnosis as well as treatment of hypothyroidism.

• Past history of thyroid / pituitary / hypothalamic disease
  
• Family history of thyroid disease
  
• Elderly individuals
  
• History of hyperlipidaemia
  
• History of depression
  
• Obesity
  
• History of drug intake e.g. Amiodarone, Iodine, Lithium carbonate, Para- aminosalicvlic acid
  
• History of other autoimmune diseases in the patients or in the family
  
• Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
  
• Primary adrenal insufficiency
  
• Pernicious anaemia
  
• Vitiligo
  
• Malabsorption syndromes
  
• Collagen vascular disorders
  
• History of thyroid surgery
  
• History of RAI 131 treatment for thyrotoxicosis
  
• History of head and neck irradiation
  
• History of postpartum thyroid dysfunction
  
• Down syndrome
  
• Short stature

These patients need to be screened for the presence of hypothyroidism. Clinical features discussed in the next section along with diagnostic criteria are to be utilised for confirmation of hypothyroidism.