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Early detection better thyroid cure
With approximately 40 million Indians suffering from thyroid related disorders, of which 60 per cent are fair sex, doctors have advocated for early detection of the condition in newborn babies and pregnant women for better treatment of the silent killer disease.
Their concerns are not without reasons. A recent study by Dr Dinesh Dhanwal, Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology and Dr Sudha Prasad, Professor of Gynaecology, both from Delhi-based Maulana Azad Medical College has found that over 14.3% of the women in the Capital may suffer from hypothyroidism during the first three months of pregnancy.
The study was conducted at MAMC, Lok Nayak and Kasturba Hospitals from January to March last year on 1,000 women in their first trimester pregnancy to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction, especially hypothyroidism in North India.
"Prevalence of hypothyroidism was found to be 14.3% out of which subclinical hypothyroidism was 13.5% and overt hypothyroidism was. 8%," Dr Dhanwal said.
Though hypothyroidism can affect the entire population, it needs to be detected and treated urgently when it affects pregnant women, new born and growing children as the thyroid hormone plays a vital role in physical and mental growth. Children born with such disease or under treated mothers have stunted growth or are mentally retarded, Dr Dhanwal added.
While the Central and State Governments are yet to wake up to this problem to ensure screening of women and kids at various health centres, Aabott, a pharma major and the Indian Thyroid Society on Wednesday joined hands to create awareness among the female sex through "'Make a Difference to Life - Think Thyroid, Think Life' programme".
Actress Juhi Chawla, who has been roped in to focus on improving awareness about the disease, said, "A number of people live with symptoms of a thyroid disorder due to lack of knowledge of the disorder. Having witnessed how untreated thyroid disorders can affect the quality of life in women, I am eager to raise awareness and encourage early diagnosis."
Thyroid disorders can be due to genetic or environmental and dietary factors. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can cause elevated cholesterol levels, changes in blood pressure, decreased fertility, depression and decreased heart rate; and in pregnant women, placental abnormalities and increased risks for the baby's well-being, said Professor R V Jayakumar, President of The Indian Thyroid Society.
With approximately 40 million Indians suffering from thyroid related disorders, of which 60 per cent are fair sex, doctors have advocated for early detection of the condition in newborn babies and pregnant women for better treatment of the silent killer disease.
Their concerns are not without reasons. A recent study by Dr Dinesh Dhanwal, Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology and Dr Sudha Prasad, Professor of Gynaecology, both from Delhi-based Maulana Azad Medical College has found that over 14.3% of the women in the Capital may suffer from hypothyroidism during the first three months of pregnancy.
The study was conducted at MAMC, Lok Nayak and Kasturba Hospitals from January to March last year on 1,000 women in their first trimester pregnancy to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction, especially hypothyroidism in North India.
"Prevalence of hypothyroidism was found to be 14.3% out of which subclinical hypothyroidism was 13.5% and overt hypothyroidism was. 8%," Dr Dhanwal said.
Though hypothyroidism can affect the entire population, it needs to be detected and treated urgently when it affects pregnant women, new born and growing children as the thyroid hormone plays a vital role in physical and mental growth. Children born with such disease or under treated mothers have stunted growth or are mentally retarded, Dr Dhanwal added.
While the Central and State Governments are yet to wake up to this problem to ensure screening of women and kids at various health centres, Aabott, a pharma major and the Indian Thyroid Society on Wednesday joined hands to create awareness among the female sex through "'Make a Difference to Life - Think Thyroid, Think Life' programme".
Actress Juhi Chawla, who has been roped in to focus on improving awareness about the disease, said, "A number of people live with symptoms of a thyroid disorder due to lack of knowledge of the disorder. Having witnessed how untreated thyroid disorders can affect the quality of life in women, I am eager to raise awareness and encourage early diagnosis."
Thyroid disorders can be due to genetic or environmental and dietary factors. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can cause elevated cholesterol levels, changes in blood pressure, decreased fertility, depression and decreased heart rate; and in pregnant women, placental abnormalities and increased risks for the baby's well-being, said Professor R V Jayakumar, President of The Indian Thyroid Society.
