DR. C V KRISHNAN ON ENDOCRINOLOGY

Dr. C V Krishnan, one of the top specialists in Endocrinology in Chennai, spoke to us on Endocrinology and related issues.

Endocrinology is the science which deals with hormones secreted by ductless glands.  The glands producing hormones, which are directly released into the blood, are called ductless glands.  The main ductless glands in the human body are the thyroid glands, pituitary glands (master controller), adrenal glands, gonads (testis and ovary) and para-thyroid glands.  When the levels of hormones produced, are more or less than normal, they produce a lot of symptoms and disease states.

For example, if the thyroid gland produces lower level of hormones, the person tends to put on weight, becomes lethargic, depressed, the fat content goes up and so on.  The reverse happens when the hormone is in excess – the person loses weight, develops trembling, nervousness, palpitations and high heart beat rate.

So, there are different diseases produced by hormonal disturbances in the body.  Hormones are also responsible for proper growth in children, both physical and mental.

Hormones of the gonads are responsible for the development of adulthood and for normal procreative capacities (the disturbance of which may result in infertility) both in the male and the female.  During menopause (a state of physiology which occurs after 40), the hormones produced by the gonads start dwindling. This produces problems of mental, physical and metabolic nature like obesity, blood pressure, high fat content, depression, anxiety, memory loss and brittle bones.

Thyroid problems are the most common. There are other problems, but many go undetected. Problems of growth in children, especially height gain, stammering, learning defects, dyslexia, delinquencies, proneness to dependence on drugs or alcohol are rooted in disturbed hormones during puberty.  The more the awareness, the easier it will be to detect.

Everyone is aware of thyroid related problems. The moment they are a little overweight, they want to be checked.  The majority of people, though are still not aware of things like growth problems in children.  Any corrective measure, like getting a test done is usually postponed, because people think that ‘everything will be all right once the child reaches the age of 16’.  By that time however, they would have missed the bus.

Another interesting point is that there are certain conditions, which are curable, but are often called incurable. For instance, hypertension, migraine, allergic asthma, some kind of psoriasis and diabetes.  These can be secondary disturbances caused due to hormonal imbalance, and if properly detected, can be cured.

Treatment options are available, and people are aware. But there is this big question of affordability.  The common man is still not able to afford the tests. The medicines also burn a hole in the pocket.  Hence, continued monitoring and treatment are often not possible or are not carefully pursued.

Originally, thyroid related disorders were connected to iodine intake.  Now only 20% of the cases are due to this.  Now, there are other types of thyroid related disorders like auto-immunity and abnormal development of puberty.

For example, thyroid disorders like hypothyroidism are glaringly common in women.  This is because, in 70% of the cases the thyroid disorder is secondary to the functioning of the ovaries (like irregularity of periods).

The treatment options in Chennai are excellent.  People are coming all the way from Shillong to Chennai. This speaks volumes about the quality of treatment options available here. 

A lot has been done and the results are there to see.  For example, the ‘Hormone Replacement Therapy’ is a hot topic of discussion in both the lay and scientific arena.  ‘Bone densitometry’, where the bone density of people after 40 is checked, is another area. People are aware of these things.

The other thing is, growth problems in children.  One thing positive about this, is that schools are conducting routine checkups.  But these checkups should not become routine – just height, weight and so on.  This is one problem peculiar to India, anything done regularly over a period of time is taken for granted.  This cannot be so, especially in the medical field, where every individual is different and can produce symptoms, which have never been seen.

Ten years ago, people were scared to go to hormone specialists, except for thyroid problems.  Even general practitioners used to discourage them saying, 'it is dangerous to use hormones'. Now the situation has improved. People are more aware.

What they should know, is the stages when hormones go through some kind of disturbance.  Usually hormonal disturbances occur during adolescence, post-marriage, while begetting children etc. If checked at the onset of pregnancy, many abortions and miscarriages, caused due to hormonal imbalance, can be avoided.

Address: Jothi Clinic, Q- 94, 4th Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai 600 040.
Phone: 626 3218.
URL: http://www.endocrinologistindia.com

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