On November 9, Dr. Le Quang Tri - Deputy Director of Military Hospital 175 (HCMC) said that recent studies show that, depending on region and age group, the rate of hypothyroidism can vary from 3-15%.
In Vietnam alone, about 4.6% of people have hypothyroidism, with women suffering more than men, and the elderly, especially those over 60 years old, are at higher risk than younger people.
Notably, the rate of people living in urban areas is at higher risk of hypothyroidism than people living in rural areas.
Dr. Le Quang Tri - Deputy Director of Military Hospital 175 said: "Urban life is an industrial life, busy with work, making many people not have a reasonable schedule for eating, exercising or resting. Many young people often stay up late, eat irregularly, work in stressful environments, have little exercise... That disrupts hormones, affects the thyroid gland and other metabolic organs".
More than 4.6% of Vietnamese people have hypothyroidism. Photo: PT
In addition, the phenomenon of aging and illness in young people is becoming more and more evident. Diseases that were once common in middle-aged people such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney failure or endocrine disorders… now appear more often at a very young age.
Hypothyroidism is a silent disease but can cause a "chain effect" throughout the body. The disease disrupts the functioning of many organs such as the cardiovascular, nervous, reproductive systems... if not detected and treated early.
According to the Deputy Director of Military Hospital 175, it is worrying that most patients in the early stages do not have obvious symptoms, causing many cases to be missed before being diagnosed. Hypothyroidism is divided into two forms: clinical hypothyroidism (usually manifested by prolonged fatigue, memory loss, sleep disorders, depression, dry skin, hair loss, easy weight gain, accompanied by cardiovascular or reproductive problems) and subclinical hypothyroidism (no specific symptoms).
Hypothyroidism can be prevented and controlled if detected early and treated properly. Photo: PT
Hypothyroidism can be prevented and controlled if detected early and treated properly. Maintaining a proper lifestyle and diet is essential to prevent and control the disease.
"In addition to iodized salt, people should increase selenium and zinc from natural foods such as seafood, eggs, milk, cereals, etc. These are micronutrients that help thyroid hormones to be fully synthesized and maintain stable function. However, supplementation needs to be moderate, because deficiency or excess can cause thyroid disorders," Dr. Tri shared.
Doctors recommend that, in the context of Vietnamese people's increasing life expectancy, annual health check-ups and screening for endocrine diseases, especially thyroid diseases, should be considered essential habits.
On the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of Vietnamese Teachers' Day (November 20, 1982 - November 20, 2025), Military Hospital 175 organized thyroid disease screening for teachers in Ho Chi Minh City. The program is expected to screen about 600 people, in two phases: November 8 - 9 and November 22 - 23, 2025.
Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/loi-song-cong-nghiep-khien-nguoi-thanh-thi-de-mac-benh-suy-giap-hon-nguoi-nong-thon-1692511091454008.htm
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