Thyroid diseases are more common among women than men

"There is a high prevalence of thyroid diseases and diabetes in the region and women are more likely to have thyroid disease than men," revealed Dr Fathia Al Awadi, Consultant and Head of Endocrine and Diabetes Department at Dubai Hospital, during Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) Smart Clinic.

This prompted DHA to launch a number a specialised clinics to treat such disorders.

The new clinics are - a thyroid clinic, a joint thyroid surgical clinic, diabetes general clinic, a joint diabetic nephropathy clinic, joint diabetes antenatal clinic, general endocrine clinic and insulin pump clinic.

“The clinics will provide a one stop destination for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to thyroid diseases and diabetes,” Dr Al Awadi added.

During the Smart Clinic session, which discussed the symptoms and treatment of thyroid diseases and disorders, Dr Al Awadi and Reham Saleem, senior clinical dietician at Dubai Rashid Hospital answered all the questions and concerns Dubai residents had regarding thyroids via social media.

Dr Al Awadi said the symptoms of hypothyroidism, in which the body doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones, may include weight gain, skin dryness, constipation, laziness, heavy menstrual periods to name a few.

If left untreated hypothyroidism can cause Sinus bradycardia, pericardial effusion, carpal tunnel syndrome and Myxedema coma, which has a high fatality rate.

The symptoms of hyperthyroidism, in which the body over produces thyroid hormones include increased heartbeat, weight loss, moodiness, sweatiness, lighter or shorter menstrual periods, itchiness and diarrhea to name a few.
Dr Al Awadi said if left untreated it can result in Sinus tachycardia and heart failure to name a few.

She revealed that there is a relation between diabetes and thyroid disorder, especially type one diabetes.

Meanwhile Saleem said that those with thyroid diseases should follow healthy and well balanced diets.

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