Hormonal harmony: Understanding the importance of thyroid health

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the neck, responsible for producing thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones regulate metabolism, growth, energy production, heart rate and thermoregulation, making the thyroid central to overall physiological balance.

Its activity is controlled by the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, where the pituitary secretes TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) to maintain hormone levels.

India faces a significant burden of thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goitre and autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Historically, iodine deficiency was widespread in India, causing endemic goitre. To address this, the government launched the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP), promoting universal iodised salt, which significantly reduced deficiency-related disorders.

Thyroid issues are influenced by nutrition, genetics, environmental pollutants, lifestyle changes and in some regions, persistent micronutrient deficiencies (iodine and selenium). The disease burden affects women disproportionately and has socioeconomic implications due to productivity loss.

From the UPSC perspective, thyroid disorders connect to themes of public health, micronutrient programmes, endocrine system basics and India’s nutrition policy. They also link to Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG-3 (Good Health and Well-Being), through early detection, awareness and preventive healthcare strategies.