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Global epidemiology of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism

Nature Reviews Endocrinology volume 14, pages 301–316 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Key Points

  • Thyroid disease is a global health problem that can substantially impact well-being, particularly in pregnancy and childhood.

  • In advanced economies, the prevalence of undiagnosed thyroid disease is falling owing to widespread thyroid function testing and relatively low thresholds for treatment initiation.

  • Iodine nutrition remains a key determinant of thyroid function worldwide, and continued vigilance against the resurgence of iodine deficiency in previously sufficient regions remains essential.

  • More studies are needed in developing countries, especially within Africa, to understand the role of ethnicity and iodine nutrition fluxes in current disease trends.

Abstract

Thyroid hormones are essential for growth, neuronal development, reproduction and regulation of energy metabolism. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are common conditions with potentially devastating health consequences that affect all populations worldwide. Iodine nutrition is a key determinant of thyroid disease risk; however, other factors, such as ageing, smoking status, genetic susceptibility, ethnicity, endocrine disruptors and the advent of novel therapeutics, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, also influence thyroid disease epidemiology. In the developed world, the prevalence of undiagnosed thyroid disease is likely falling owing to widespread thyroid function testing and relatively low thresholds for treatment initiation. However, continued vigilance against iodine deficiency remains essential in developed countries, particularly in Europe. In this report, we review the global incidence and prevalence of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, highlighting geographical differences and the effect of environmental factors, such as iodine supplementation, on these data. We also highlight the pressing need for detailed epidemiological surveys of thyroid dysfunction and iodine status in developing countries.

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Figure 1: Map of overt hyperthyroidism prevalence (selective populations used when representative data not available).
Figure 2: Map of overt hypothyroidism prevalence (selective populations used when representative data not available).
Figure 3: Global iodine status and mandatory salt iodization.

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  1. Peter N. Taylor, Diana Albrecht and Anna Scholz: These authors contributed equally: Peter N. Taylor, Diana Albrecht and Anna Scholz.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thyroid Research Group, Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK

    Peter N. Taylor, Anna Scholz, John H. Lazarus, Colin M. Dayan & Onyebuchi E. Okosieme

  2. University Medicine Greifswald, Institute for Community Medicine, Greifswald, Germany

    Diana Albrecht

  3. Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    Gala Gutierrez-Buey

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P.N.T., D.A., A.S., G.G. and O.E.O. researched data for the article, made substantial contributions to discussion of content, wrote the article and reviewed and/or edited the manuscript before submission. C.M.D. and J.H.L. made substantial contributions to discussion of content and reviewed and/or edited the manuscript before submission.

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Glossary

Thyrotoxicosis

The clinical state that results from too much thyroid hormone in the body. In the overwhelming majority of cases, this is due to excess production from the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).

Silent thyroiditis

A self-limiting subacute disorder that results in temporary hyperthyroidism, usually followed by a brief period of hypothyroidism and then recovery of normal thyroid function. It most commonly occurs in females in the post-partum period.

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Taylor, P., Albrecht, D., Scholz, A. et al. Global epidemiology of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Nat Rev Endocrinol 14, 301–316 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2018.18

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