Conditions that affect the thyroid glands are common, affecting about 1 in 20 adults.1

The incidence of thyroid disease tends to increase with age. This is particularly true for underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).2

References:

  1. 1.Maniakas A, Davies L, Zafereo ME. Thyroid Disease Around the World. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2018 ;51(3):631-642.doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2018.01.014. Epub 2018 Mar 13. PMID: 29548512.
  2. 2.Gesing A. The thyroid gland and the process of aging. Thyroid Res. 2015;8(Suppl 1):A8. Published 2015 Jun 22.doi:10.1186/1756-6614-8-S1-A8.