Overview
Thyroid disease affects 200 million people globally. The thyroid is a quintessential gland in our body that’s responsible for secreting thyroid hormones that regulate the metabolic processes in the body. Any kind of dysfunction of the thyroid gland that leads to little or excess production of thyroid hormones is marked as thyroid disease.
What is Thyroid Disease?
Thyroid disease is an umbrella term used to describe disorders or issues that happen when the thyroid gland either produced very little or too much thyroid hormone.
There are primarily two types of thyroid disorders:
Hypothyroidism – This happens due to an underactive thyroid, wherein the thyroid gland produces fewer thyroid hormones.
Hyperthyroidism – This happens due to an overactive thyroid, wherein the thyroid gland produces excess thyroid hormones.
Both types of thyroid disorders lead to a variety of symptoms, including faster heart rate, poor metabolism, sensitivity to hot and cold, etc. The conditions are often due to genetic predisposition.
Who does it Affect?
Thyroid diseases can affect anyone, irrespective of age, gender, or ethnicity. The condition is fairly common and affects millions of people globally. Women are at greater risk of suffering from diseases as compared to men.
You have a higher chance of developing thyroid disease if:
- You have a family history of thyroid disorder
- You have certain medical conditions like pernicious anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, type-1 diabetes, etc.
- You consume medications high in iodine
- You have hit menopause or are over 60 years
- You have had surgery in the past related to the thyroid gland
How Common are Thyroid Diseases?
Thyroid diseases affect 200+ million people across the world, as we have mentioned previously. It is more common in women compared to men. Additionally, hypothyroidism often manifests as a congenital disorder, which progresses and gets worse with time.
