Exploring the Epidemiology and Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction Disorders in Women in India

Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders among Indian women, with prevalence estimates greatly surpassing those of many developed countries. It is estimated that about 42 million people suffer from any form of thyroid disorders in India, with women being about ten times more likely to be affected by thyroid imbalance compared to men. The current literature review brings together epidemiological data regarding the burden, distribution, and risk factors for thyroid dysfunction – hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, autoimmune thyroiditis, and thyroid disorders during pregnancy among Indian women. Sources of information include both hospital-based cross-sectional surveys and nationally representative community surveys including NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 surveys. The findings suggest that there is an increasing trend in the occurrence of thyroid disorders based on both self-reports and biochemical confirmation, which varies by age, region, socio-economic status, pregnancy status, and iodine nutrition.