Thyroid problems are rising in India, in men as well as women

Thyroid disorders are among the most common hormone problems in India. Studies suggest that roughly one in ten Indian adults has hypothyroidism, and a significant share of them are undiagnosed. Thyroid disease is often thought of as a "women's problem", and women are indeed several times more likely to be affected. But men get it too, and because nobody expects it, men are frequently diagnosed late.

What the thyroid does

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. Its hormones set the pace of your metabolism: how fast you burn energy, how warm you feel, your heart rate, your digestion, and even your mood and concentration. When it makes too little or too much hormone, almost every system in the body notices.

Hypothyroidism: the underactive thyroid

This is the more common form. It develops slowly, which is exactly why it is easy to miss. Typical symptoms:

• Persistent tiredness and sluggishness
• Weight gain without eating more
• Feeling cold when others are comfortable
• Dry skin, hair thinning, brittle nails
• Constipation
• Low mood, poor memory, "brain fog"
• Heavy or irregular periods in women
• Puffy face and swelling around the eyes

Hyperthyroidism: the overactive thyroid

Less common, but more dramatic:

• Weight loss despite a good appetite
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat, palpitations
• Anxiety, irritability, trembling hands
• Excessive sweating and heat intolerance
• Poor sleep
• Sometimes a visible swelling in the neck (goitre) or prominent eyes

Why men are being missed

In men, thyroid symptoms are often written off as work stress, ageing, or lifestyle. Signs worth taking seriously in men include:

• Unexplained fatigue and weight change
• Reduced libido or erectile difficulties
• Loss of muscle strength
• Low mood that does not lift
• Raised cholesterol that does not respond to lifestyle changes

Because doctors and patients alike are less likely to suspect thyroid disease in men, the simple blood test is often never ordered.

Why cases appear to be rising

Part of the rise is better detection: more people are getting tested. Other contributing factors under study include autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's thyroiditis, now the leading cause of hypothyroidism in India), ageing, obesity, and certain environmental exposures. Iodine deficiency, once the main driver, has been greatly reduced by iodised salt, though it has not disappeared in every region.

The test is simple

A TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) blood test, often with T3 and T4, is inexpensive and widely available. Consider getting tested if you have several of the symptoms above, a family history of thyroid disease, another autoimmune condition, or diabetes, or if you are planning a pregnancy.

Treatment works well

• Hypothyroidism is usually treated with a daily thyroid hormone tablet. Take it on an empty stomach, at the same time every day, and keep taking it; most people need it long term. Because small dose changes matter with this medicine, do not switch brands without telling your doctor.
• Hyperthyroidism may be treated with anti-thyroid medicines, radioactive iodine, or occasionally surgery, depending on the cause.
• Regular blood tests guide dose adjustments.

The takeaway

If you are tired all the time, your weight has changed for no clear reason, or you just do not feel like yourself, whether you are a woman or a man, ask your doctor about a thyroid test. It is a small test that can explain a great deal.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a qualified doctor for diagnosis and treatment of thyroid conditions.