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More than 12% of people in the United States will develop thyroid disease at some point in their lifetime. Millions of Americans are already living with it, and many may not even know it.
The two main types of thyroid conditions are:
l Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
l Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
This article reviews facts and statistics to help you understand thyroid disease and its impact.
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your throat. Through the production and release of thyroid hormones, it regulates many automatic processes in your body. These include:
Breathing
Heart rate
Digestion
Energy production
Muscle strength
Body temperature
Weight
Mood
Menstrual cycles
In hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. This slows down your metabolism and causes:
Fatigue
Weight gain
Trouble tolerating cold
Joint and muscle pain
Dry skin and hair
Temporary hair loss
Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
Fertility problems dealing with female reproduction
Slowed heart rate
Goiter (an enlarged thyroid that feels like a lump in your throat)
Some cases of hypothyroidism are caused by an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s disease.
In hyperthyroidism, your thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone. This speeds up many of your body’s processes. Symptoms include:
Nervousness or irritability
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Trouble tolerating heat
Insomnia
Tremor
Rapid, irregular heart rate
Frequent bowel movements and/or diarrhea
Weight loss
Mood swings
Goiter
Some cases of hyperthyroidism are caused by an autoimmune disorder called Graves' disease. It can also be caused by thyroiditis (inflamed thyroid gland), growths called thyroid nodules, and too much iodine in the blood. Thyroid hormone production relies on iodine.
Thyroid disease is fairly common. An estimated 20 million people in the United States have thyroid disease. As many as 60% of people with thyroid disease are not aware that they have it.
Hypothyroidism is about 7.5 times more common than hyperthyroidism. In addition, experts estimate that thyroid disease is becoming more common. However, it’s difficult to determine if rising rates are due to more cases, a better means of diagnosing thyroid disease, or both.
Rates of thyroid disease vary based on age and sex.
Thyroid disease becomes more common as people age. Hypothyroidism is most often diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 50. Hyperthyroidism diagnoses are most common between ages 20 and 40. Thyroid disease is significantly more common in women. Hypothyroidism is believed to be about 9times more common in people assigned female at birth. Hyperthyroidism is believed to be between 2 and 10 times more likely in females. It's estimated that about 1 in every eight women will develop thyroid problems, compared to 1 in 17 for the total population.
Why being female makes you more prone to thyroid disease isn’t fully understood. Estrogen, considered the primary female hormone, is thought to play a role. Also, women are thought to be genetically more susceptible to autoimmune disease than people assigned male at birth. This may be due to a stronger immune response in females.
Autoimmunity (most common in the United States)
Iodine deficiency (rare in the United States but quite common worldwide)
Radiation therapy for head and neck cancers
Pregnancy
Birth defect in the thyroid gland
Hypothyroidism can also be caused by treatments for hyperthyroidism, including radioactive iodine treatments and surgical removal of part of all of the thyroid gland.
A history of thyroid problems such as goiter
Previous thyroid surgery
A family history of hypothyroidism
Recent pregnancy or childbirth
Use of nicotine products, such as cigarettes or vaping
Having Turner syndrome, perniciou anemia, Sj?gren’s syndrome, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus
Autoimmunity
Excess iodine
Thyroid nodules
Thyroiditis
Noncancerous tumors on the pituitary gland, which is involved in thyroid function
Temporary hyperthyroidism can be caused by overmedication with thyroid replacement hormone.
Family history of thyroid disease
Having pernicious anemia, type 1 or 2 diabetes, or primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease)
Eating a lot of high-iodine foods or taking iodine-containing medication
Use of nicotine products, such as cigarettes or vaping
Recent pregnancy or childbirth
Your thyroid gland controls many important bodily functions. Too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) slows down these processes while too much (hyperthyroidism) speeds them up. Thyroid disease is common, especially in people assigned female at birth. Rates of different thyroid disorders vary by age, sex, and ethnicity. Causes include autoimmunity, genetics, and other factors.
Thyroid disease is rarely fatal, but if left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as myxedema and thyroid storm.
