As thyroid disorders usually produce only subtle symptoms more people are screened for this disorder when they have nonspecific symptoms like tiredness, weight gain, etc. Hence it is not clear whether this is an actual increase or better detection process of the condition, stated endocrinologists.
Thyroid is the commonest endocrine disorders worldwide and the fifth most common cancer in women. 32% Indians have various forms of thyroid disorders, with approximately 1.2 per cent of men and women being diagnosed with thyroid cancer at some point during their lifetime, based on research. Women have up to eight times the risk of developing thyroid disorder than men and about 2% of cases occur in children and teens.
On the occasion of the World Thyroid Day observed annually on May 25, this year being a decade of observing the health disorder manifesting ‘invisible’ symptoms, endocrinologists call for thyroid function checked on a regular basis.
Speaking about the long-term trend with respect to thyroid problems in women in India, Dr. Usha Menon, Clinical Associate Professor, Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi stated, “Thyroid problems appears to be increasing in India especially in women. This may be due to the fact that now thyroid blood tests are easily available in every nook and corner of the country at reasonable cost. More over the awareness about thyroid problems have increased considerably among doctors and public in the last decade”.
According to Dr. Sharda A, Consultant Endocrinologist, Vikram Hospital Bengaluru, thyroid disorders are becoming more common and awareness is important to suspect and diagnose this condition at the level of patient and physician. Thyroid disorders can contribute to a host of challenges like infertility, obesity, depression, weight loss and cardiovascular diseases.
Although thyroid disorders are seen in men, women and children, they are more common in women around puberty, pregnancy and menopause, she added.
“The main challenge is that the symptoms of weight issues, lethargy, lack of energy and fatigue for the thyroid ailments are very vague. Therefore awareness among the people on the risk factors associated with thyroid is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment of the disease,” noted Dr. Fred Williams, Consultant Endocrinology, Columbia Asia Hospital Whitefield.
“Certain changes in a person’s DNA can cause thyroid cells to become cancerous. It is common for people with thyroid cancer to have few or no symptoms. People with thyroid cancer may experience hoarseness, difficulty is breathing and swallowing and a lump in front of their neck. Early detection is the key to detect any cancer”, said Dr Satish Nair, Consultant, Head and Neck Surgery, Apollo Hospitals.
Dr. Avinash Phadke, President Technology & Mentor (Clinical Pathology) SRL Diagnostics said that although research is still underway it has been known that genetics plays a crucial role in both determination of thyroid hormones and TSH concentrations, and susceptibility to autoimmune thyroid disease.
Dr Sneha Kothari, Endocrinologist, Global Hospitals, Mumbai noted that thyroid cancer incidence has more than doubled compared to the last decade. Much of the rise is due to increased use of thyroid ultrasound which detects small nodules. Thyroid cancer is commonly diagnosed at a younger age compared to other adult cancer. Nearly 3 out of 4 cases are found in women . As per American cancer society's estimates, 2% of thyroid cancer occur in children and teenagers.