‘22.6 per cent men suffer thyroid dysfunction’

A pan-India study conducted by a diagnostic laboratory has revealed that from all four zones, nearly 22.68 per cent men in the country suffer from thyroid dysfunction. The study has shown that men in Mumbai are more prone to thyroid disorders.

The data mining survey — carried out over a period of three years — showed an increasing number of urban men falling prey to thyroid disorders. The survey pointed out that while thyroid disorders are commonly associated with women, in recent times, they have started affecting men, leading to heart problems, mental health issues, infertility etc.

The report said that of the 1424,008 screened for the pan-Indian study, 22.68 per cent were found with abnormal TSH levels. Age-wise, the younger population aged 31 to 45 years was at higher risk of thyroid dysfunction with 30.33 per cent samples testing positive for thyroid as compared to just 25.81 per cent samples in the older group aged 46 to 60 years showing incidence of thyroid. Region-wise, prevalence of the disorder was much higher in the eastern zone, with the western zone following closely.

Dr B.R. Das, President — Research and Innovation, Mentor — Molecular Pathology and Clinical Research Service, SRL Diagnostics, said, “There is a significant need for reaching out and making people aware of causes, symptoms, treatment and importance of testing for thyroid problems. SRL Diagnostics’ in-house data analysis on thyroid tests assesses nationwide abnormalities in test results in men residing in various cities that represent diverse geographic origin, occupation, socio-economic status, and food habits.”

Dr Das added that even as problems associated with abnormal production of Thyroid hormones continue to multiply, awareness of the disease among men in the country remains shockingly low.

Dr Das’s observation has been confirmed by a study conducted by the Indian Thyroid Society which ranks India ninth in terms of awareness about the disease as compared to other ailments like asthma, cholesterol problems, depression, diabetes, insomnia and heart problems.

The study reveals that Hypothyroidism, categorised under the cluster of iodine deficient disorders (IDDs), is highly prevalent in India with one out of 10 people in the country being diagnosed with the condition. It has been estimated that about 200 million people suffer from thyroid disorders worldwide, out of which 42 million are in India.