Epidemiology

The prevalence of overt hypothyroidism in the general population ranges between 0.2% and 5.3% in Europe.[4] The incidence of primary hypothyroidism in the UK is estimated to be 0.41% per year for women and 0.06% per year in men.[5] In the US, the prevalence of overt primary hypothyroidism is 0.3%, and of sub-clinical hypothyroidism is 4.3%.[6] The prevalence of overt and sub-clinical hypothyroidism is higher in white people (5.1%) than in black people (1.7%), or Hispanic people (4.2%).[6] The prevalence of hypothyroidism is higher in women and increases with age.[4]​ It ranges from 4% in women aged 18 to 24 years, to 21% in women older than 74 years, and 3% to 16% in men of the same age groups.[7]​ Differences in iodine status affect the prevalence of hypothyroidism as both severe iodine deficiency and iodine excess may cause hypothyroidism.[1]​ Iodine deficiency is a major cause of hypothyroidism worldwide.[8]​ While less common in the developed world, iodine intake is inadequate in some European countries, including Germany, Norway, and Finland.[9] Global efforts to universally iodise salt have diminished the magnitude of this problem.[10][11]​​ However, iodine intake is still low in many countries and in high-risk individuals, such as pregnant women.[12][13] IGN: global scorecard of iodine nutrition in 2021 Opens in new window​​​​

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