World Thyroid Day: Debunk the myth, accept treatment

Twenty eight-yearold Sneha (name changed) was having hypothyroidism and was taking medicines. But when she got married, she didn’t tell her in-laws or even husband about the problem, fearing that it could adversely affect her relationship and thus she stopped taking medicines.

“This is not the case of Sneha only. Many parents of young daughters come to me and ask if they should tell their in-laws about the problem or not. They fear that in-laws would not take it well that could hurt their relationships. Now we should debunk this myth as the problem is treatable,” said Dr Gurpreet Singh, senior consultant, and head, endocrinolo g y de partment, Apollo Hospital.

Dr Singh added, “Though the awareness about the disease is there in the society, still in-laws hesitate to accept daughter-inlaws.” Singh said that it didn’t affect the normal life if treated well, and its acceptance should be the motive of World Thyroid Day to be celebrated on May 25 every year.

The doctors say that even the younger generation is falling prey to the disease. “Girls below age 10 are also coming to me, complaining about the thyroid problem. I am of the view that proper medicine can cure this problem and you can live a healthy lifestyle,” added Dr Singh.

Dr Navin Mittal, endocrinologist, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said, “The disease has more prevalence among women. And it should be checked for sure during the pregnancy so that a child could be saved from the disease, especially if the mother is suffering from the problem.”

“The deficiency of iodine and immunology mechanism is the factors for the thyroid and it has little to do with the lifestyle,” he added.

“Gaining weight is one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and thus many times women or girls, having gained a lot of wait, come to me and question me if they have the thyroid problem,” said Dr Mittal, talking about the awareness about the disease. But he didn’t forget to mention that, finding a reason for overweight in hypothyroidism could not be justified as gaining weight was directly associated with the unhealthy lifestyle also.

“The simple blood test can identify the disease and proper medications are available for its cure. This society should accept except this fact so that girls don’t feel afraid of telling their in-laws about the problem,” said Dr Singh and Mittal, giving message of World Thyroid Day.

THYROID DISEASE?

Thyroid disease is a medical condition impairing the function of the thyroid. Imbalance in production of thyroid hormones arises from dysfunction of the thyroid gland itself, the pituitary gland, which produces thyroid stimulating hor mone (TSH). Excessive production of thyroid hormones is termed as hyperthyroidism and less production of thyroid hormones is termed as hypothyroidism.