St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, is using Thyroid Awareness Month to spotlight the importance of improving awareness and early detection of thyroid disorders across Africa, where the conditions remain widely underdiagnosed despite their high prevalence.
Thyroid diseases, particularly hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, are among the most overlooked health conditions globally. An estimated 200 million people worldwide are affected by thyroid disorders, with Africa accounting for more than 25 percent of the global burden. Health experts note that many patients live with the condition for years without a diagnosis due to symptoms that are often subtle or mistaken for other health issues.
Common signs of thyroid dysfunction include persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain or loss, hair thinning, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating. Because these symptoms develop gradually and are non specific, they are frequently ignored or misattributed to stress, ageing, or lifestyle factors.
Early Detection Key to Reducing Complications
Medical professionals stress that early diagnosis of thyroid disorders can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications. Untreated thyroid disease has been linked to infertility, cardiovascular conditions, and metabolic imbalances that can affect overall quality of life.
Doctors recommend that adults, particularly those over the age of 35 or individuals with a family history of thyroid disease, undergo routine thyroid function tests as part of annual health check ups. These blood tests assess hormone levels and can help detect thyroid dysfunction before symptoms become severe.
Preventive measures include regular thyroid screening, maintaining a balanced iodine intake, monitoring persistent or unexplained symptoms, managing stress, following a healthy diet, staying physically active, and avoiding excessive or unregulated supplement use.
Training Future Doctors in Preventive Care
SGU says it is committed to preparing future physicians to identify and manage endocrine disorders through a curriculum that blends academic instruction with hands on clinical training. The programme equips medical students with the skills to recognise early and subtle indicators of thyroid dysfunction and other hormonal conditions.
The university is also encouraging the public to prioritise thyroid health and embrace preventive care as a cornerstone of long term wellbeing. SGU emphasises that informed communities, combined with healthy lifestyle choices and self awareness, can play a critical role in reducing the burden of thyroid disease.
More information on programmes and academic tracks offered by the SGU School of Medicine is available on the university’s official website.
