Thyroid Disorders affecting 4.2 crore Indians every year1

Thyroid Disorders affecting 4.2 crore Indians every year¹

On World Thyroid Day, the Indian Thyroid Society alerts general public and doctors on the highly prevalent and undiagnosed disease

Lucknow, May 19, 2011: Ahead of World Thyroid Day, the message from the Indian Thyroid Society and Abbott India Limited is that untreated thyroid disorders are very common and it is estimated that 4.2 crore Indians¹ are suffering from thyroid disorders with almost 90% undiagnosed.² Often people suffer from a variety of ailments completely unaware that these could be linked to thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid problem is perhaps the second most common endocrine disease next to diabetes.¹

In order to create a greater understanding on the awareness and diagnosis of thyroid disorders and the co-morbidities associated with it, 40, 000 patients will be examined through 700 thyroid testing camps held across the country ahead of World Thyroid Day. 

According to Dr. R V Jayakumar, President of The Indian Thyroid Society (ITS), “Millions of people have an undiagnosed thyroid problem, and don't realize that it is the source of the other serious health challenges they face. Obesity, depression, fatigue, high cholesterol, infertility and many other conditions are very often the direct result of undiagnosed and untreated thyroid conditions. Thyroid disorders are also known to result in dyslipidemia which is an abnormal amount of cholesterol and/or fat in the blood. Dyslipidemia is known to be an important contributor to cardiovascular risks including all cause mortality.”

He added, “In order to avoid complications health wise it is important to go for a regular thyroid check up to ensure a long and healthy life. Think Thyroid, Think Life.”

The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland located in the 'neck' region, just under the Adam’s apple. It makes, stores and releases thyroid hormones that influence almost every cell in the body. In short, the thyroid gland facilitates smooth functioning of our body.

Dr. Sharad Kumar, Consultant Endocrinologist and Associate Professor Eras Medical College, Lucknow says, “The most common thyroid disorder, hypothyroidism, results when your thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones. Hypothyroidism is often not suspected during the routine clinical assessment. Since thyroid hormone testing is not a routine test, the diagnosis is often not confirmed for years. If there are vague symptoms like weakness, a slight weight gain, depression, constipation and heavy periods, it is important to consult your local physician. There is no harm requesting for appropriate tests, which will most likely include a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test. The sensitive Thyroid Stimulating Hormone test is the most valuable single method to discover or confirm hypothyroidism. It enables doctors to identify even mild cases of hypothyroidism before symptoms appear.”

For further detail, please contact 
Atul Malikram 
9827092823 

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