<p>One in every 10 urban Indians is deficient on an essential thyroid hormone, which may silently trigger several diseases among adults, suggests a new research.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A study, conducted on more than 5,300 individuals in eight cities, including Delhi and Bangalore, found 10.95 per cent prevalence of hypothyroidism among adults. <br /><br />The disorder is linked to several diseases like diabetes, heart disease and infertility.<br /><br />Moreover, almost 8 per cent of the people screened for the study have sub-clinical thyroid deficiency and stand a chance of developing symptoms later in their lives.<br /><br />Almost one-third of hypothyroid patients were unaware of their conditions and detected for the first time. Women were three times more prone than men, particularly in the age group of 46-55 years, says the study published in a recent issue of “Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism”.<br /><br />“There have been no nationwide study on the prevalence of hypothyroidism in India, either in the pre or post-iodization periods. <br /><br />A large, cross-sectional, comprehensive study was required to provide a true picture of the evolving profile of thyroid disorders across the country as India is in the post-iodization era,” A G Unnikrishnan, lead author of the study and chief executive officer of Chellaram Diabetes Institute, Pune, said. <br /><br />Iodine deficiency due to insufficient intake of dietary iodine is the most common cause of hypothyroidism worldwide. To counter this, India adopted an universal salt iodization programme in 1983.<br /><br />But, after three decades, thyroid deficiency continues to be widely prevalent, triggering many other diseases. <br /><br />“We have an estimated 62 million diabetic and 42 million hypothyroidism patients. Without controlling thyroid problem, diabetes and heart diseases cannot be controlled,” said R K Lalwani, a private doctor associated with Max Hospital, who carried out the Delhi leg of the study.<br /><br />Delhi statistics were similar to the national trend as 11 per cent people were found short in thyroid level and sub-clinical hypothyroidism was seen in 9.61 per cent people. <br />The prevalence was marginally less in Bangalore (thyroid deficiency 9.23 per cent) and very high (21 per cent) in Kolkata.<br /><br />Though India is in the post-iodization phase, the study suggests that prevalence of hypothyroidism in adults is high on a national scale. <br /><br />Unfortunately, no prevalence data exists on the occurrence of hypothyroidism among adults in the pre-iodization phase.<br /><br />Globally, thyroid disorders continue to be common yet one of the most under-diagnosed health conditions. <br /><br />If left untreated, it can cause a host of diseases besides affecting a baby's wellbeing in a pregnant woman.<br /></p>
<p>One in every 10 urban Indians is deficient on an essential thyroid hormone, which may silently trigger several diseases among adults, suggests a new research.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A study, conducted on more than 5,300 individuals in eight cities, including Delhi and Bangalore, found 10.95 per cent prevalence of hypothyroidism among adults. <br /><br />The disorder is linked to several diseases like diabetes, heart disease and infertility.<br /><br />Moreover, almost 8 per cent of the people screened for the study have sub-clinical thyroid deficiency and stand a chance of developing symptoms later in their lives.<br /><br />Almost one-third of hypothyroid patients were unaware of their conditions and detected for the first time. Women were three times more prone than men, particularly in the age group of 46-55 years, says the study published in a recent issue of “Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism”.<br /><br />“There have been no nationwide study on the prevalence of hypothyroidism in India, either in the pre or post-iodization periods. <br /><br />A large, cross-sectional, comprehensive study was required to provide a true picture of the evolving profile of thyroid disorders across the country as India is in the post-iodization era,” A G Unnikrishnan, lead author of the study and chief executive officer of Chellaram Diabetes Institute, Pune, said. <br /><br />Iodine deficiency due to insufficient intake of dietary iodine is the most common cause of hypothyroidism worldwide. To counter this, India adopted an universal salt iodization programme in 1983.<br /><br />But, after three decades, thyroid deficiency continues to be widely prevalent, triggering many other diseases. <br /><br />“We have an estimated 62 million diabetic and 42 million hypothyroidism patients. Without controlling thyroid problem, diabetes and heart diseases cannot be controlled,” said R K Lalwani, a private doctor associated with Max Hospital, who carried out the Delhi leg of the study.<br /><br />Delhi statistics were similar to the national trend as 11 per cent people were found short in thyroid level and sub-clinical hypothyroidism was seen in 9.61 per cent people. <br />The prevalence was marginally less in Bangalore (thyroid deficiency 9.23 per cent) and very high (21 per cent) in Kolkata.<br /><br />Though India is in the post-iodization phase, the study suggests that prevalence of hypothyroidism in adults is high on a national scale. <br /><br />Unfortunately, no prevalence data exists on the occurrence of hypothyroidism among adults in the pre-iodization phase.<br /><br />Globally, thyroid disorders continue to be common yet one of the most under-diagnosed health conditions. <br /><br />If left untreated, it can cause a host of diseases besides affecting a baby's wellbeing in a pregnant woman.<br /></p>
