4.2 crore Indians suffer from thyroid diseases: Study

Mumbai, Jan 13 (UNI) Around 4.2 crore Indians suffer from thyroid diseases while Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder, according to Indian Thyroid Society (ITS) president Prof R V Jayakumar.

Speaking to reporters here, Prof Jayakumar said ''Thyroid disorders are among the most common and yet most under-diagnosed of all the disorders making thyroid a hidden disease, keeping this in mind the Indian Thyroid Society has declared January 2008 as 'Think Thyroid' month.'' ''Women are five to eight times more likely to get thyroid diseases than men as one woman in eight will develop thyroid disease in her lifetime,'' he stated.

''The thyroid gland is part of the delicate endocrine system and is located in the neck, just under the Adam's apple. It produces hormones that helps to regulate every cell, tissue and organ in the body. In short, if your thyroid doesn't work properly, neither do you,'' Prof Jayakumar said.

''Thyroid and the conditions it causes can be easily managed with early detection and a little care. But most patients are not even aware of the problems thyroid can cause, hence the 'Think Thyroid' month is declared to draw the attention to this crucial gland among patients and their physicians,'' he added.

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