1 Out of 4 Indians found having abnormal Thyroid level

SRL Diagnostics, the leading diagnostic chain in India has released a three-year long data mining survey (2013 – 2015) done at a pan India level. The data reveals that Thyroid diseases are one of the commonly occurring endocrine disorders across the length and breadth of the country. It is estimated that about 200 million people suffer from thyroid disorders worldwide and amongst those 42 million are in India.

Out of the more than 20 lakh samples screened by SRL for thyroid disorders, 25.3 per cent of the total samples were found with abnormal TSH levels. Women had a higher percentage of abnormality (26 per cent) as compared to men (24 per cent). This was in agreement with the common findings of various medical research studies.

The analysis further showed that the highest prevalence of abnormal TSH values was in the eastern zone of the country (27 per cent of the samples). Distribution of abnormal Thyroid test results – Zone wise Analysis from SRL Eastern Zone in India had the highest percentage of abnormality at 27 per cent, followed by North Zone with 26 per cent. Among the zones, southern and Western India showed lower percentages of abnormality at 22 per cent each.

Dr Leena, Director Fortis Labs “There is a significant need for reaching out to the masses and making people aware of the causes, symptoms, treatment and importance of testing for thyroid disorders. SRL Diagnostic’s in-house data analysis on thyroid tests assessed nationwide data for abnormal thyroid results in both men and women residing in various cities, of diverse occupations, socio-economic status and food habits.

””However our analysis result cannot be extrapolated to infer population prevalence of thyroid illness as for that a nationwide systematic disease survey should be done” she added. She further added “The thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Excess thyroid hormone results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism.

While insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism. Most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated.” Thyroid is a disease which becomes more common with increasing age.Stress is also one of the major factors that adversely affects the thyroid. Abnormal values increase to 30 per cent as persons reach ages above 40 years.