World Thyroid Day: Emphasising Thyroid Awareness

• Written by Mudit Handa

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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The Endocrine System is a very complex organ system prone to certain hormonal disorders, some entirely beyond human control. Thyroid issues are very common hormonal health issues that affect a large population worldwide. The American Thyroid Association has reported that over 200 million people worldwide and over 42 million people in India are affected by one of the two types of thyroid disorders, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. This lack of awareness often leads to these issues being unaddressed.

World Thyroid Day is observed annually on 25th May to address the lack of thyroid awareness. This critical day aims to educate the general public about thyroid diseases, its symptoms, prevention, and treatment. This article will explain the significance of World Thyroid Day.

What is the History of World Thyroid Day?

To address the significant concerns surrounding thyroid disease, one of the most common diseases of the Endocrine System, the European Thyroid Association (ETA) declared 25th May 2008 as the World Thyroid Day (WTD) in collaboration with its sister Associations – 

• American Thyroid Association (ATA), 
• Latin American Thyroid Society (LATS), and 
• Asian Oceanic Thyroid Association (AOTA). 

Since 2010, World Thyroid Day has been endorsed by all four global associations for Thyroid Awareness.

What are the Objectives of World Thyroid Day?

To fulfill the objective of raising thyroid health awareness, World Thyroid Day aims to:

• Increase awareness of thyroid disorders.
• Educate about thyroid function and its importance.
• Promote early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid conditions.
• Advocate for research and improved healthcare for thyroid patients.

What is the Theme for WTD 2025?

The theme for World Thyroid Day 2025 has not been officially announced yet. However, last year, the theme was “Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs),” recognising thyroid disease as a non-communicable auto-immune disease of the endocrine system and emphasising its impact on overall health. Accordingly, it is recommended to use the hashtags #WorldThyroidDay and #Thyroid to promote thyroid awareness.

How can We Participate in World Thyroid Day 2025?

As an active volunteer participating in the WTD 2025, volunteers can play a proactive role by performing the following activities:

• Educational campaigns and seminars.
• Free thyroid check-up camps.
• Social media campaigns using relevant hashtags.
• Sharing patient stories and experiences.
• Distribution of informational materials.

Besides, as a volunteer, you must virtually participate in the 17th International Thyroid Congress (ITC), which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 18 to 22, 2025. 

Here’s the link for the ITC2025.

As a flagbearer of WTD 2025, you must know the most common types of thyroid disorders.

Common Thyroid Disorders

The most important types of thyroid disorders are listed below:

• Hypothyroidism: Underactive thyroid hormone production due to a mistaken autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland leads to hypothyroidism, also known as Hashimoto's Disease. Symptoms include fatigue, depression, less or no sweating, and shortness of breath.
• Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroxine hormone production due to mistaken autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland leads to hyperthyroidism, also known as Graves' Disease. Symptoms include fatigue, anxiety, and excessive sweating.
• Thyroid Nodules: These are lumps within the thyroid gland, which can be solid or fluid-filled.
• Thyroid Cancer: Although most thyroid nodules are non-cancerous, some of them may lead to malignant cell growth, causing thyroid cancer.
• Goitre: An acute iodine deficiency in the human body leads to a swollen thyroid gland, which is referred to as goitre.

These are the most critical thyroid disorders, which affect a significant population. You must propagate awareness of these diseases among the masses and the thyroid symptoms that are responsible for them.

Common Symptoms of Thyroid Disorders

Common symptoms of thyroid disorders are listed below:

• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or lacking energy.
• Weight changes: Unexplained weight gain or loss.
• Mood swings: Experiencing irritability, anxiety, or depression.
• Hair Loss: Excessive hair shedding or thinning.
• Cold Sensitivity: Feeling colder than usual or having increased sensitivity to cold temperatures.
• Heat Sensitivity: Feeling hotter than usual or having increased sensitivity to hot temperatures.
• Muscle weakness: Experiencing muscle aches, cramps, or weakness.
• Constipation: Difficulty in bowel movements.
• Dry skin: Skin becomes dry and rough.
• Irregular periods: Changes in menstrual cycle, such as lighter, heavier, or irregular periods.
• Swelling in the neck: Noticeable swelling or lump in the neck area can be a symptom of iodine deficiency and goitre.

What are the Risk Factors Responsible for Thyroid Disorders?

Several factors trigger the onset of a thyroid disorder. Some of them have been listed below:

• Iodine Deficiency or Excess: Imbalances in iodine intake may also cause Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism.
• Autoimmune Diseases: A mistaken autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland is a key factor behind thyroid disorders like Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease.
• Family History: A genetic predisposition in the past leads to a family history of thyroid issues that may or may not impact the present generation.
• Gender: The American Thyroid Association opines that women are 5 to 8 times at high risk of thyroid disorders than men due to hormonal fluctuation during menstrual cycles or in the postpartum stage. 
• Age Factor: The risk of thyroid disorders increases with age.
• Radiation Exposure: Exposure to radiation, especially in the neck area, can increase the risk of thyroid disease, including cancer.
• Hormonal Medications: Some hormonal medications may impact normal thyroid function.
• Pregnancy and Postpartum: Women are more likely to develop thyroid symptoms during or after pregnancy, which often causes lifelong thyroid problems.
• Smoking: Smoking can damage the thyroid gland and negatively affect thyroid health. Avoiding smoking is recommended to reduce this risk.

Understanding these factors is important for raising awareness about thyroid disorders.

Where to Get Information Regarding World Thyroid Day Events?

You can get updated information regarding events related to thyroid awareness during WTD 2025 from various global organisations, such as:

• Thyroid Federation International
• American Thyroid Association
• European Thyroid Association
• Various national thyroid organisations and patient support groups
• Medical and research institutions focused on endocrinology

You can also visit your nearest endocrinologist to learn more about the events related to thyroid awareness happening in your area.

How to Cope With Thyroid Disorders?

Although thyroid issues are related to hormonal health, which is beyond human control, it is easy to cope with them if you are pretty health-conscious. If you suspect you have thyroid symptoms, you must immediately consult a certified endocrinologist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Besides, you must take care of your health by eating a balanced diet sufficient in iodine to support thyroid health. 

In addition to a healthy lifestyle, you must have financial support to sustain your medical expenses if you are diagnosed with a critical illness. Hence, it is crucial for you to have comprehensive health insurance coverage.

Support your Healthcare with a Comprehensive Critical Illness Plan

No matter how much care you take of your health, certain hormonal disorders may occur due to certain factors, such as a family history of such diseases. With the diagnosis of a hormonal health issue such as hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer, the entire treatment and medication may take up a significant share of your savings. Hence, it is crucial to have advanced health coverage to support your medical expenses in case of a health emergency. It is ideal to prefer a comprehensive critical illness insurance plan that provides basic benefits, such as coverage of annual checkups. Besides, you must look for benefits like a reduction in the waiting period in case of a preexisting illness, such as thyroid.

Disclaimer: All plan features, benefits, coverage and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus and policy documents carefully.