Increase in thyroid cases attributed to greater awareness, improved diagnostics
MUMBAI: Close to 50 million Indians, mainly women, suffer from
thyroid disorders
in India, and the numbers seem to be going up every year in metro cities such as Mumbai, according to statistics available from govt agencies and diagnostic laboratories.
The National Family Health Survey-4 found that 1.8% of the women in Maharashtra had goitre or other thyroid disorders in 2015-2016, and the number went up to 2.1% three years later in the NFHS-15. The all-India figure also shows an increase from 2.2% to 2.7% in the same period.
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However, senior endocrinologist Dr Shashank Joshi from Lilavati Hospital in Bandra said that the rising numbers are more a function of greater awareness and better access to thyroid diagnostic tests. "Autoimmunity is rising across the world, and India is no exception, but the rise in thyroid disorder numbers is merely a reflection of more awareness and diagnosis," he said.
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Autoimmunity is a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells, tissues, or organs. Autoimmune thyroid disorders—hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease) or
hypothyroidism
(Hashimoto's thyroiditis)—are the most common autoimmune diseases in the world.
Dr Joshi, who is the immediate past President of the Indian Thyroid Society, said modern women multitask and are vulnerable to work- and family-related stressors that make them prone to thyroid problems.
The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that regulates metabolism and hormones. Due to disorders, the thyroid could become underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism)—both conditions affect one's mood, weight, energy levels, and heart health.
The most common symptoms are weight changes (gain or loss), temperature sensitivity (cold or heat intolerance), changes in heart rate, and skin and hair changes. Other symptoms can include mood swings, digestive issues (like constipation), and menstrual irregularities.
"The most important point is that thyroid disorders are treatable conditions, so early detection is the key," said Dr Joshi. May 25 is observed as World Thyroid Day, and this year's theme is "focus on early detection and treatment." Doctors said that modern diagnostics make it easier than ever to detect thyroid issues early and guide the right treatment.
Gynaecologist Dr Rajashri Tayshete Bhasale from Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, wanted to highlight the role of diagnostic advances in better detection rates.
'Artificial intelligence is not the future of thyroid care—it's already here. AI tools can now detect abnormalities in seconds, interpret lab results, and even predict flare-ups. But awareness and timely medical consultation remain key,' she said.
Meanwhile, the American Thyroid Association has noted that although several autoimmune diseases have been associated with cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune thyroid diseases—and particularly hypothyroidism—have to date not been officially included among the risk factors for non-communicable diseases.
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