Hypothyroidism - Epidemiology

Epidemiology

0.3% of the general American population have overt hypothyroidism, and 4.3% have subclinical hypothyroidism. A 1995 survey in the UK found the mean incidence (with 95% confidence intervals) of spontaneous hypothyroidism in women was 3.5/1000 survivors/year (2.8-4.5) rising to 4.1/1000 survivors/year (3.3-5.0) for all causes of hypothyroidism and in men was 0.6/1000 survivors/year (0.3-1.2).

Estimates of subclinical hypothyroidism range between 3–8%, increasing with age; incidence is more common in women than in men.