Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 7 (IANS) Keeping in mind that one out of eight women suffer from some kind of thyroid disorder in their lifetime, the Indian Thyroid Society will launch an awareness campaign Sunday to coincide with the International Mother’s Day.
“It is estimated that 4.2 crore Indians are suffering from thyroid disorders with almost 90 percent undiagnosed. Although the reason is not understood, women are at a higher risk of most types of thyroid diseases than men,” said R.V. Jayakumar, president of the Indian Thyroid Society.

“Thus to promote good health amongst Indian women and expectant mothers, this Mother’s Day the Indian Thyroid Society and Abbott India are jointly creating awareness of this often-neglected and under-recognised disorder,” he added.

According to Jayakumar, the most common thyroid disorder occurring around or during pregnancy is thyroid hormone deficiency or hypothyroidism.

“That is why we decided to initiate an awareness campaign on Mother’s Day this year, urging all women and expectant mothers to undergo thyroid testing to ensure a healthy life for themselves and their babies. As part of a precautionary measure, women should check their thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level as soon as pregnancy has been confirmed,” he said.