It’s International Thyroid Awareness Week 

The two main types of thyroid disease are hypothyroidism, caused by an underactive thyroid, and hyperthyroidism, the result of an overactive thyroid. In infants and young children, the thyroid is particularly key in modulating growth and neurodevelopment.

On a global scale, thyroid diseases impact the lives of 200 million people, more often affecting women than men. The symptoms are often present in other common conditions, making early diagnosis and treatment difficult. There are also systemic barriers to early diagnosis, such as lack of awareness, general bias toward treatment rather than prevention, and poor cross-specialty communication among healthcare providers.

In February, the Global Alliance for Patience Access convened stakeholders in Singapore to discuss the impact of hypothyroidism in the Asia-Pacific region. An estimated 11% of adults in the Asia-Pacific region are affected by hyperthyroidism, compared to 2-4% in other areas. Attendees underscored the importance of improved screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

They also agreed that thyroid disease should be elevated as a priority for global policymakers. By informing and educating national health leaders about the need for prioritization, advocates and healthcare providers take an important step toward encouraging the World Health Organization to recognize thyroid disease as a priority NCD.