Thyroid Screening: Beyond Family History for Early Detection

• Thyroid disorders affect over 42 million in India, often undetected due to subtle symptoms and over-reliance on family history for screening.
• Dr Chirag Tandon advocates for proactive screening, as early symptoms like fatigue or weight changes are frequently misdiagnosed.
• Risk factors extend beyond genetics, including autoimmune diseases, certain medications, iodine imbalance, post-partum period, and environmental factors.
• Women are 5-8 times more likely to develop thyroid issues, with older adults and those with autoimmune/chromosomal conditions also vulnerable.
• Simple TSH blood tests enable early diagnosis and effective treatment, preventing serious complications like heart disease and infertility.

Why It Matters: Proactive thyroid screening beyond family history is crucial for early diagnosis and preventing serious health complications.