Thyroid diseases are common globally. India too carries a notable load of it. There have been several surveys in the last decade that have indicated the explosive rise of disorders related to it in India. Medicircle is conducting a Thyroid Awareness Series on the occasion of Thyroid Awareness Month to increase public knowledge about the importance of timely diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this medical condition by speaking to specialists in this area.

Dr. Robert Lobo is an ENT doctor and has experience of 21 years in this field. He practices at Southeast clinic, Siddhi Hospital and Laparoscopy center, and Villoo Poonawalla Memorial Hospital Pune. He is also a member of the Indian Medical Association. Some of the services provided by the doctor are nasal disorders, treatment of foreign bodies in the eyes, ears, nose, and throat, hearing aid fitting, nosebleed treatment, and thyroid disorders. 

The causes of the thyroid are multifactorial 

Dr. Robert Lobo says, “Most thyroid disorders are common in women. Being a woman is the first thing to be considered. The main cause of thyroid disorders is genetic and apart from etiology is multifactorial, we cannot pinpoint one disorder. We come across thyroid usually in routine examination or may be due to a particular symptom pointing towards thyroid”

Diet is an important factor in thyroid 

Dr. Lobo says, “Diet is a very important factor of the thyroid. Iron deficiency is considered one of the causes of thyroid disorders. Iron deficiency leads to abnormal development of the child during growing years however this is solved in-country now. Deficiency of Iodine may lead to goiter. A lot of women have a large prominent thyroid known as goiter”

Routine screening of the thyroid is a must 

Dr. Lobo states, “Most of the thyroid disorders are commonly seen in women. The clinical representation that is coming up in hypothyroidism is asymptomatic where the thyroid is not working enough. Routine screening is required in such cases. Thyroid disorders are becoming more common. A small thyroid lump is given more importance now in the present as compared to the past. It must be correctly investigated. 

(Edited by Dr. Rati Parwani)