Thyroid

Disorders of The Thyroid Gland

Thyroid disorders are extremely common in the United States with over 20 million people undergoing treatment and an estimated two million others with an undiagnosed thyroid problem. Women are especially vulnerable, as thyroid disease is up to eight times more common in women than in men and can lead to problems with infertility.

Functional abnormalities of the thyroid (over- or under-function) are quite common, particularly among older adults. By the age of 60, 17% of all women and 8% of men have signs of a failing thyroid. An estimated one million patients in the United States suffer from Graves' disease, the most common form of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Fifteen percent of these cases involve individuals over the age of 60. Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the most common cause of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) affects up to 10% of women in the United States by the age of 50.

Thyroid goiters, otherwise known as benign thyroid enlargements or thyroid nodules, are present in approximately 5% of the population worldwide. Most thyroid nodules are harmless, but some may produce excess thyroid hormone or be cancerous. There are roughly 18,000 to 20,000 new cases of thyroid cancer each year for which thyroid surgery alone is usually curative.

Benign and cancerous thyroid conditions can afflict any person at all stages of life. Through coordinated multidisciplinary care delivered by thyroid surgery specialists, patients may realize the best possible outcomes of treatment and follow-up.