<b>Fit & Proper:</b> Thyroid disease as a lifestyle problem

Your weekly health guide by Sanjay Kalra

Thyroid gland disorders are fairly common in India with prevalence rates ranging from 11 per cent to 13 per cent, one of the highest globally. The country at present harbours 42 million individuals who suffer from one or more forms of thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism, or a reduced thyroid gland function, is the most common form of thyroid disorders in India, affecting one in 10 adults. The rates of hyperthyroidism, a disorder with overfunctioning thyroid activity, vary across different regions and are relatively less common.

Iodine is essential for thyroid function and in many patients, this concomitant iodine deficiency can manifest as