World Thyroid Day is observed on 25 May every year to raise awareness about the thyroid gland and the conditions that affect it. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located near the base of the neck in the base of the neck. It is responsible for producing two hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which are essential for the body's normal functions such as metabolism, growth and development, and reproduction.
Thyroid disorders occur when the thyroid gland does not produce enough or too much of these hormones. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones while hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much of these hormones. Know the theme, history, significance, ways to observe and quotes for World Thyroid Day 2024.
World Thyroid Day 2024: Theme
The theme of World Thyroid Day (WTD) 2024 is “Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)”. The theme highlights that thyroid problems are among the most common endocrine disorders globally, second only to diabetes. This theme raises awareness about thyroid problems and aids in the diagnosis and treatment of early thyroid disease.
World Thyroid Day 2024: History
World Thyroid Day was first established in 2007 by the Thyroid Federation International (TFI) to raise awareness about the importance of the thyroid gland and the conditions that affect it. 25 May was chosen to commemorate the founding of the European Thyroid Association (ETA) on that day in 1965. The ETA was the first organization to officially recognize World Thyroid Day.
The TFI is a non-profit organization that works to promote thyroid health and research. The organization has members from over 100 countries around the world. The TFI's mission is to "promote the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of thyroid disorders, and to improve the quality of life for people with thyroid disease."
World Thyroid Day 2024: Signficance
World Thyroid Day serves as a significant occasion to promote understanding of the thyroid gland and its related health issues. Positioned close to the neck's base, this gland is like a butterfly in shape. Its crucial role involves the production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine hormones, vital for fundamental bodily processes like metabolism, growth, development, and reproduction.
Thyroid disorders are common, affecting an estimated 20 million people in the United States. The most common thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Hypothyroidism can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, constipation, and depression.
World Thyroid Day is an opportunity to learn more about the thyroid gland and the conditions that affect it. It is also a time to show support for people with thyroid disease and to encourage early diagnosis and treatment.
World Thyroid Day 2024: Poster
![On the occasion of World Thyroid Day 2024, share the theme, history, significance, activities, quotes, and posters](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2024-05%2Fe623a19f-9f11-48ed-9f40-8141b0b95330%2Fworld-thyroid-day-poster-vector-illustration.jpg_s%3D1024x1024%26w%3Dis%26k%3D20%26c%3Dl_yupJiObttATkmL62CfnSXDQzT1WhmVEMWaTd0tDQw%3D.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
World Thyroid Day 2024 poster
(Image: iStock)
![On the occasion of World Thyroid Day 2024, share the theme, history, significance, activities, quotes, and posters](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2024-05%2Fc7b611d6-be58-4b75-a604-9175dbd2ac02%2Fworld-thyroid-day.jpg_s%3D1024x1024%26w%3Dis%26k%3D20%26c%3Dh3xHZKutMIO2jgu35LVnZf6drvjp4kedJi0292aZb4Y%3D.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
World Thyroid Day 2024 Image
(Image: iStock)
Ways To Observe World Thyroid Day 2024
There are many ways to observe World Thyroid Day. Here are a few ideas:
Visit your doctor- If you have any concerns about your thyroid health, talk to your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders can help prevent serious health problems.
Encourage others to see their doctor- If you know someone who is experiencing symptoms of a thyroid disorder, encourage them to see their doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can help improve their quality of life.
Donate to a thyroid research or treatment organization- Your donation can help fund research into new treatments for thyroid disorders and support people with thyroid disease.
Attend a World Thyroid Day event- Many organizations hold events on World Thyroid Day to raise awareness about the thyroid gland and the conditions that affect it. These events are a great way to learn more about thyroid health and meet other people with thyroid disease.
(Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated by AI and published after the content was editorially modified and verified by a human based on their own judgement and expertise. The Quint does not publish AI-generated content without direct human involvemeant and oversight)
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