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World Thyroid day 2018: Here's why women are more prone to thyroid disorders than men

World Thyroid day 2018: Here's why women are more prone to thyroid disorders than men

Women are 3-10 times more susceptible to thyroid disorders than men.

Written by Shaloo Tiwari |Updated : May 25, 2018 11:52 AM IST

Thyroid disorders have become so common in India that according to a survey done by WHO, almost about every third person in the country suffers some kind of thyroid disorder. In this country, thyroid disorders are on a rise with more than forty-two million people suffering from different types of the condition. Thyroid disorders have no cure however, they can be managed and controlled for a better life. Thyroid has two major types, Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid) and Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid). About 1 in 10 adults in India suffer from hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone which if left untreated can lead to goitre which is seen as a bulge in the neck and increases the chances of stroke and infertility. Whereas hypothyroidism is when an overactive gland produces excess thyroid hormone which can be caused by excessive intake of iodine or certain hormonal medicines.

However, what has come across recently is that thyroid issues are more common amongst women as compared to the men. A research, 'Thyroid Dysfunction in an Adult Female Population', says that thyroid disorders are more common in the female population and that they are 3-10 times more susceptible to thyroid disorder than men.

The reason behind this gender disparity has to do with women's body being more sensitive to any hormonal changes than the male body. Dr Avinash Phadke, President Technology & Mentor (Clinical Pathology) explains, A Woman s body is more prone to different hormonal leaps, more sensitive to hormonal changes and is overall, more reactive than the male body. Iodine deficiency leads to further complications in the female thyroid system. Stress is also known to cause a spike in TSH hormone release. Women undergoing an annual screening of thyroid gland can enable us to detect problems earlier, and it will be thus easier to start the treatment. added Dr Phadke.

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References:

Gonz lez-Rodr guez, L. A., Felici-Giovanini, M. E., & Haddock, L. (2013). Thyroid Dysfunction in an Adult Female Population: A population-based study of Latin American Vertebral Osteoporosis Study (LAVOS) - Puerto Rico Site Hypothyroidism in LAVOS-Puerto Rico site. Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal, 32(2), 57 62.

Rahbari, R., Zhang, L., & Kebebew, E. (2010). Thyroid cancer gender disparity. Future Oncology (London, England), 6(11), 1771 1779. http://doi.org/10.2217/fon.10.127