Bengaluru: Despite increasing public awareness about diabetes and thyroid ailments, a startling survey reveals that there has not been much change in recent times, in the level of disease occurrence.
A recent survey done by SRL, a diagnostic centre pan-India for three years, shows that one in four people suffer from thyroid disorders. The data reveals that thyroid-related diseases are among the commonly-occurring endocrine disorders that crop up across the length and breadth of the country.
Despite the study revealing that the Eastern Zone in India had the highest percentage of health abnormality, experts believe that this city, because of its lifestyle, needs to pay attention to both the ailments – thyroid as well as diabetes.
"The thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Excess thyroid hormone results in a condition known as ‘hyperthyroidism.’ While insufficient hormone production leads to ‘hypothyroidism’. Most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated," says Dr Leena, Director, Fortis Labs.
Dr Anantharaman R, Consultant, Endocrinologist and Diabetologist at Magna Clinics, treats some 600 patients every month, of which half walk in with thyroid ailments and the rest with diabetes. The doctor, however, points out that there is a downside to public awareness. "Many walk in with the results of self-administered tests, which are not needed. But people should take a blood glucose test if they are above twenty years. That's important," stresses Dr Ananthraman.
"Thyroid disorders are not a crippling disease like diabetes, but greater awareness is needed in this area and a yearly check-up is advisable, more so with anyone suffering from hypothyroid symptoms, " says Dr K.N. Suresh Babu, Consultant Endocrinologist, BGS Global Hospital, who sees nearly 6 patients every day suffering from this disorder.
