Why in News: World Thyroid Day is observed every May 25, marking the founding of the European Thyroid Association (ETA) on May 25, 1965. India is estimated to have ~42 million people with thyroid disorders. Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) persist in pockets despite Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) made mandatory in 1997, and autoimmune thyroid disease is rising in urban India.

About World Thyroid Day

  • Declared in 2007 by Thyroid Federation International (TFI)
  • Observed annually on May 25
  • Commemorates the founding of the European Thyroid Association (ETA) on May 25, 1965
  • Aim: raise public awareness about thyroid health, screening, and treatment

About the Thyroid Gland

  • An endocrine gland, butterfly-shaped, located in front of the neck
  • Produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) hormones
  • Regulates metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, and growth
  • Iodine is essential for synthesising thyroid hormones

Major Thyroid Disorders

Disorder Nature Key Features
Hypothyroidism Under-active thyroid Weight gain, fatigue, cold intolerance
Hyperthyroidism Over-active thyroid Weight loss, palpitations, heat intolerance
Goitre Gland enlargement Visible neck swelling
Thyroid nodules Lumps in gland Mostly benign
Thyroid cancer Malignancy Papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis Autoimmune Causes hypothyroidism
Graves’ disease Autoimmune Causes hyperthyroidism

India’s Thyroid Epidemiology

  • Estimated ~42 million Indians living with thyroid disorders
  • Hypothyroidism prevalence: ~11% (ICMR studies)
  • Hyperthyroidism prevalence: ~1.3%
  • Women are 3–5 times more affected than men
  • Sub-clinical hypothyroidism is rising in urban populations

Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD)

Historical “Goitre Belt”

  • Himalayan foothills
  • Brahmaputra plains
  • Parts of central India

IDD Spectrum

  • Goitre
  • Cretinism
  • Mental retardation
  • Stillbirths and neonatal mortality

India’s Response Framework

Year Programme / Action
1962 National Goitre Control Programme launched
1992 Renamed National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP)
1997 Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) made mandatory
Post-revision Iodised salt: minimum 15 ppm at retail

Achievements and Persistent Gaps

  • Iodised salt consumption: ~94% of households (NFHS-5, 2019-21)
  • Goitre prevalence dropped from ~26 million pre-1992 to under 8 million today
  • However, Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis is rising despite iodine sufficiency
  • Iodine excess is now reported from some regions

Linkages With Other Health Programmes

  • National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs (NPCDCS), 2010 — broader non-communicable disease framework
  • National Health Mission (NHM)
  • Ayushman Bharat PMJAY — covers thyroid surgery and treatment

Professional Bodies

  • Indian Thyroid Society — leading professional body
  • Endocrine Society of India
  • Indian Cancer Society — thyroid cancer awareness

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnostic Tests

  • TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) — first-line screening
  • Free T4 and T3 levels
  • Anti-TPO antibodies for autoimmune disease

Treatment Options

  • Levothyroxine (Eltroxin/Synthroid) — for hypothyroidism
  • Methimazole / Carbimazole — for hyperthyroidism
  • Radioactive iodine therapy
  • Surgery (thyroidectomy) for selected cases

Way Forward

  • Mass screening in high-risk groups, especially pregnant women
  • Integration of thyroid screening with NPCDCS clinics
  • Train ASHA workers in goitre identification
  • Iodine monitoring to manage over-iodisation risk
  • Promote selenium-rich diet — selenium is a co-factor for thyroid hormone metabolism

UPSC Relevance

  • GS Paper 2: Health policy, NCDs, vulnerable groups, government interventions
  • GS Paper 3: Nutrition, science behind iodisation
  • Prelims: NIDDCP, USI norms, hormone names, salt iodisation %
  • Mains: “Iodisation has eradicated visible goitre, but India’s thyroid burden has become autoimmune and urban.” Discuss.

Facts Corner:

  • World Thyroid Day: May 25 (since 2007)
  • Declared by: Thyroid Federation International (TFI)
  • Commemorates: founding of European Thyroid Association (May 25, 1965)
  • India’s estimated thyroid disorder patients: ~42 million
  • Hypothyroidism prevalence: ~11%; Hyperthyroidism: ~1.3%
  • NIDDCP: launched 1992 (renamed from National Goitre Control Programme of 1962)
  • Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) mandatory: 1997
  • Iodised salt minimum: 15 ppm at retail
  • Iodised salt consumption (NFHS-5): ~94%
  • Levothyroxine: treatment for hypothyroidism
  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis — autoimmune hypothyroidism
  • Graves’ disease — autoimmune hyperthyroidism

Sources: Indian Thyroid Society, MoHFW, WHO