A regular screening for women is very important to prevent hypothyroidism

Dr Parag Sheth, Regional Medical Director, Abbott India in an interaction with Express Healthcare talks about thyroid disorder and highlights that by educating people, especially women, about the nature, prevalence, and symptoms of the condition, increased screening can be encouraged, which facilitates timely diagnosis and treatment

What is India’s disease burden of thyroid disorders, compared to global stats? Are there any populations identified at risk, due to genetic or environmental factors?

1 in 10 Indians have thyroid problems. The prevalence of self-reported goitre or thyroid disorder in the recently released National Family Health Survey 5 was 2.9 per cent (2019-2021)[i]. Though prevalence rates are higher, with 10.95 per cent adults affected by hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid disorder[ii]. Environmental factors are determinants for the appearance of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) in susceptible subjects. Certain factors that can trigger the onset of autoimmune thyroid diseases include an increased iodine intake, selenium, vitamin D deficiency, and exposure to radiation [iii]. The disease is often hereditary, and the overall risk of developing hypothyroidism is high if one has a family history of thyroid disease. Despite the high prevalence and associated burden, thyroid disorders, along with other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), remain neglected.

How does Hypothyroidism affect our health in terms of DALYs (disability adjusted life year) etc?

The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland located at the base of the neck plays a major role in the metabolism, growth, and development of the body. It also regulates multiple functions including energy levels, weight, heart rate, and mood. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones to meet the needs of the body. Hypothyroidism may not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause several health problems such as obesity, joint pain, infertility, and heart disease. The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary, depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency. Problems tend to develop slowly, often over several years. Hypothyroidism signs and symptoms may include fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, weight gain, a puffy face, muscle weakness, thinning hair, and elevated blood cholesterol level.

How much awareness about Thyroid disorder is there among the general population in India? What can be done to improve awareness and early diagnosis, therefore early treatment of Hypothyroidism?

Thyroid diseases are common worldwide. In India too, there is a significant burden of thyroid diseases. According to a projection from various studies on thyroid disease, it has been estimated that about 42 million people in India suffer from thyroid diseases. It has been observed that one out of three patients of hypothyroidism are not aware about the existence of the disease within their body. A regular screening from the early twenties especially for women is very important to prevent hypothyroidism because women are three times more susceptible to hypothyroidism compared to men.

By educating people, especially women, about the nature, prevalence, and symptoms of the condition, increased screening can be encouraged, which facilitates timely diagnosis and treatment. It can be difficult to diagnose hypothyroidism because the symptoms can be easily confused with other conditions. If anyone has any of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, they should talk to their physician. The main way to diagnose hypothyroidism is a blood test called the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test.

Abbott is committed to helping people around the world get and stay healthy through its life-changing technologies spanning across nutritional products, medicines, devices, and diagnostic tests. Through the ‘Making India Thyroid Aware’ (MITA) campaign conducted in partnership with the Indian Thyroid Society, Abbott is supporting initiatives to increase awareness about thyroid disorders to support people in living healthier lives.

Are there technologies under research and development which allow a regular monitoring of thyroid hormone in the body? How easy, affordable, and accessible are such technologies for India’s target patient population?

Sometimes, thyroid disease can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are easily confused with those of other conditions. Fortunately, there are tests that can help determine if one’s symptoms are being caused by a thyroid issue. These tests include:

Blood tests: One of the most definitive ways to diagnose a thyroid problem is through blood tests. Thyroid function tests are used to tell if the gland is functioning properly by measuring the assay of thyroid hormones in the body. These tests may include thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T4, T3, and thyroid antibody tests.

Imaging tests: In many cases, looking at the thyroid itself can answer a lot of questions. The doctor might do an imaging test called a thyroid scan. This allows the physician to look at the thyroid to check for increased size, shape, or growths (nodules). The healthcare provider could also use an imaging test called an ultrasound.

References:

[i] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1796440

[ii] Unnikrishnan, A.G. Prevalence of Hypothyroidism in adults: An epidemiological study in 8 cities of India, Indian J Endocrinol Metabolism.

[iii] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2017.00050/full