September 28, 2010
School of Medicine, Kochi
 

Dr. R. V. Jayakumar, Clinical Professor in the Department of Endocrinology at the Amrita School of Medicine was recently elected to the Executive Council of Asia and Oceania Thyroid Association.
 

With representation from various nations including Japan, China, Korea, Indonesia, Australia, Iran and other South East Asian countries, the Association aims to foster scientific and educational activities relating to the thyroid, from basic science to clinical investigations and new therapies.
 

Dr. Jayakumar is the first Indian to be elected to the Association’s Executive Council. He elaborated on its responsibilities and duties.
 

“The Executive Council is responsible for finding patterns in diseases that related to the thyroid, such as iodine-deficiency disorders in various parts of different continents.”
 

One of the largest endocrine glands in the body, the thyroid gland controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins and how sensitive the body should be to other hormones.
 

“The Council also attempts to arrive at conclusions regarding the management of controversial problems related to thyroid and develops guidelines to bring uniformity in the management of thyroid cases,” he stated.
 

“One of its important tasks is to collaborate with countries like Japan and Korea to research genetic markers that can help with the diagnosis and management of rare diseases such as medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.”
 

As the Council’s Indian representative, Dr. Jayakumar will help ensure that leading Indian endocrinologists, who excel in their respective clinical areas of practice, participate in international meetings and conferences that focus on endocrinology.
 

Dr. Jayakumar is also the President of the Indian Thyroid Society. In the past, he has served as the President of the Endocrine Society of India.
 

Dr. Jayakumar holds the distinction of being the first person in India to pass the MNAMS exam in endocrinology; he passed this exam in 1978.
 

Known within Amrita as an eminent physician and a brilliant teacher, he elaborated further.
 

“At Amrita, we diagnose and treat several patients with thyroid problems.”
 

“We also organize educational sessions for patients on normal and abnormal thyroid functioning as well as thyroid disorders. These are explained in very simple terms.”
 

The doctor’s areas of research include the association between thyroid and type-II diabetes mellitus; he also investigates thyroid problems in community especially in middle-aged women.
 

Amrita congratulates the doctor on his appointment and wishes him the very best.