Thyroid disorders are widely prevalent globally. Their incidence is on the rise in India too. An estimated 42 million Indians suffer from thyroid diseases mainly hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter/iodine deficiency disorders and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.¹ The prevalence of self-reported goitre or thyroid disorder in 4th National Family Health Survey IV (NFHS-4 2015-2016] was 2.2%, while it was 2.9% in NFHS-5 (2019-2021). Amongst the various thyroid disorders, the most common in hypothyroidism, which affects one in ten adults.² The prevalence is higher in women (11%) than in men (6.2%). The incidence of congenital hypothyroidism in India is 1 out of 2640 newborns as against 1 in 3800 globally. Endemic goiter is no longer limited to just the Himalayan and Sub-Himalayan regions traditionally regarded as the “goiter belt”.¹ India has shifted from being iodine deficient to becoming iodine replete. So now autoimmune thyroid diseases are the most common cause of hypothyroidism.

Thyroid disorders are linked to almost all noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Thyroid disorders often coexist with diabetes. The association of thyroid diseases and heart diseases is well-established. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are associated with various mental health problems. Likewise, hypothyroidism is linked with respiratory dysfunction, as well as musculoskeletal complaints.³ Hypothyroidism is now recognised as a lifestyle disorder.

Regardless when it comes to NCDs, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer steal the limelight and garner the most attention. The list of NCDs has so far excluded thyroid disease as an NCD even though they are as preventable as diabetes and cancer. The Government of India’s National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) also does not include thyroid disease in its ambit.

Unlike other NCDs, thyroid diseases are easy to diagnose, inexpensive to treat and have low related mortality. Yet, they are often undiagnosed and therefore untreated highlighting the need to create greater awareness among the population about thyroid disorders and their impact on quality of life, especially about hypothyroidism in pregnant women and congenital hypothyroidism.

The Thyroid Federation International (TFI), which convened in 1995, was the first to come up with the idea of a World Thyroid Day to raise awareness about the thyroid gland and its functions including thyroid-related diseases in 2007. May 25 was the date chosen as it marked the founding of the European Thyroid Association (ETA). This gained acceptance from other organisations such as the American Thyroid Association, the Latin American Thyroid Society and the Asia-Oceania Thyroid Association. Since then, May 25 is observed annually as the World Thyroid Day across the world.

If we want to control the rising prevalence of thyroid diseases, greater awareness followed by appropriate action is the need of the hour. This can only happen when thyroid diseases take their rightful place on the “stage” alongside other NCDs.

References

1. Unnikrishnan AG, et al. Thyroid disorders in India: An epidemiological perspective. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jul;15(Suppl 2):S78-81. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.833.
2. Bagcchi S. Hypothyroidism in India: more to be done. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2014 Oct;2(10):778.
3. Kalra S, et al. Thyroid: disorders of a lesser gland. Thyroid Res Pract. 2013;10(2):p 45-46. DOI: 10.4103/0973-0354.110573.