Here are four reasons women should be aware of thyroid disorders

The butterflyshaped thyroid gland located at the base of the neck plays a major role in the metabolism growth and development of the body It also regulates multiple functions including energy levels weight heart rate and mood Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones to meet the needs of the bodyDespite the high prevalence thyroid disorders along with other noncommunicable diseases remain neglected A study conducted across eight cities in India suggests that nearly onethird of people living with hypothyroidism experience the disorder but are unaware of it due to a lack of diagnosisHighlighting the need for timely diagnosis of thyroidrelated conditions Manoj Chadha Senior Consultant Endocrinologist HOPE amp CARE Hospital Vashi Navi Mumbai said In Mumbai alone we have seen 286 per cent cases of hypothyroidism go undiagnosed Adults who are aged 35 years and above pregnant and middleaged women in particular are at high risk and may suffer additional complications if a thyroid disorder is left untreated Undetected hypothyroidism results in increased vulnerability to comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertensionHe continued The pathophysiological association between Type2 diabetes mellitus T2DM and thyroid dysfunction is believed to be the result of an interplay between various biochemical genetic and hormonal malfunctions Poorly managed T2DM can lead to insulin resistance hyperinsulinemia and increased risk of hypoglycaemic episodes in diabetics11 As a result it increases the cardiovascular risk in T2DM This can only be reduced with frequent screening to ensure timely diagnosis which in turn will drive treatment and disease management for hypothyroidism at an early stageHere are 4 reasons why women should be aware of thyroid disorders Women are three times more likely to develop hypothyroidism than men Moreover hypothyroidism is especially common among women especially during childbearing age although women of all ages are at risk Women with highrisk factors for hypothyroidism should particularly be encouraged to undergo screening These factors include residing in an area with moderatesevere iodine insufficiency obesity history of thyroid dysfunction or presence of goitre in the individual or a firstdegree relative history of recurrent miscarriages or preterm delivery infertility or autoimmune diseases Type 1 diabetes Addisons disease Coeliac disease Rheumatoid Arthritis Elusive signs amp symptoms Dont suffer silently Women tend to ignore their health and visit a doctor only when extremely ill or experiencing severe symptoms Hypothyroidism symptoms which tend to be subtle and nonspecific go under the radar These include fatigue excessive weight gain constipation dry skin cold intolerance lethargy muscle cramps and puffy eyelids which overlap with those of other disease areas or blend in with the rigours of everyday life It is thus essential to get yourself screened instead of waiting for multiple symptoms to persist Take action proactively to alleviate any symptoms and avoid further complications The added risk of health complications The potential consequences of thyroid disorders include more than just hair loss and weight fluctuations If left untreated thyroid disorders can prompt a number of health complications from elevated cholesterol levels and depression to irregular menstrual cycles and a higher risk of infertility or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS Thyroid disorders can also amplify or worsen symptoms of menopause In more serious cases they may even lead to cardiovascular or neurological complications as well as diabetes Timely treatment to safeguard maternal and child health Hypothyroidism can have worrying implications for pregnant women if not adequately managed Hypothyroidism during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of anaemia miscarriage postpartum bleeding preeclampsia and placental abruptionThe thyroid hormone is also critical for the development of the fetal brain and nervous system especially during the first trimester when the foetus depends on the mothers supply of the hormone Thyroid disorders may also increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight Being aware and undergoing screening before and during pregnancy is important for both maternal and child healthWomen with hypothyroidism detected during pregnancy can speak to their endocrinologist to understand how to best manage their conditionCommenting on the need to tackle thyroid disorders Srirupa Das Medical Director Abbott said Abbott is committed to raising awareness on thyroid disorders in India By educating people at higher risk especially women about the nature prevalence and symptoms of the condition we aim to encourage increased screening which facilitates timely diagnosis and treatment We are committed to continuing Making India Thyroid Aware to empower people to pursue better healthThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoeverAlso Read Plastic Free July How Mumbaibased teens turned plastic waste into a shelter for stray dogs