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Thyroid disorders more common in women:
Iranian health official
Head of Endocrinology and Metabolic Department at Ministry of Health and Education of Iran Shahin Yarahmadi stated that these disorders are more common and carry more severe complications in pregnant women, newborns, children, and the elderly, IRNA wrote.
Yarahmadi highlighted that thyroid disorders affect people of all ages, and approximately 1.6 billion individuals worldwide are affected or at risk of developing thyroid diseases.
The official explained that thyroid disorders can manifest as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, inflammation, nodules, or cancer.
She listed several risk factors for thyroid disorders, including family history, iodine intake, air and water pollution, excessive use of iodine-containing medications, age over 60, radiation therapy to the head and neck, autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, smoking, an unhealthy diet, physical trauma to the thyroid, certain mental health conditions, genetic factors, and pregnancy.
Yarahmadi emphasized the crucial role of the thyroid gland in the body, as it regulates the function of other endocrine glands and metabolism.
Looking ahead, the Health Ministry is focused on reducing the burden of thyroid disorders in Iran through prevention, early diagnosis, effective treatment, and complication management. Ongoing and future initiatives include sustaining the successful newborn screening program, developing evidence-based guidelines for thyroid disease management, educating healthcare providers, raising public awareness about thyroid health, fostering inter-sectoral collaboration to address modifiable risk factors, and engaging insurance organizations for optimal thyroid disorder management.