Kajol urges women to take thyroid test

New Delhi, May 18 (IANS) Bollywood actor Kajol now has a new mission in hand - to spread awareness on thyroid disorders.

As brand ambassador for the Abbott India Ltd healthcare company, she is urging women to take thyroid tests so that they can take timely medical advice and avoid complications.

'Most Indian women are unaware of the symptoms and impact of thyroid disorders. I urge them to undergo thyroid tests to ensure a healthy life,' Kajol, 34, said in a statement.

'Above all, expectant mothers should mandatorily go for thyroid tests as thyroid disorder during pregnancy may lead to a lower IQ in the baby,' said the actress who is expecting her second child. She has a daughter with actor husband Ajay Devgn.

According to the Indian Thyroid Society, an estimated 420 million Indians suffer from thyroid disorders with almost 90 percent undiagnosed.

R.V. Jayakumar, president of The Indian Thyroid Society, said: 'People are struggling with obesity, depression, infertility and many other problems yet most Indians never think of a thyroid checkup. If properly informed, diagnosed and treated, they will realise that their symptoms were actually because of untreated thyroid problems.'

'As a precautionary measure, women should check their thyroid stimulating hormone level as soon as pregnancy has been confirmed,' he added.