Each January, Thyroid Awareness Month draws attention to a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that plays an outsized role in human health. The thyroid helps regulate metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, energy levels and more. When it doesn’t function properly, the effects can ripple across nearly every system in the body.
Despite its importance, thyroid disease is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, in part because symptoms can be subtle, nonspecific or mistaken for other conditions. Up to 60% of people with thyroid disease remain unaware of their condition.
Thyroid Awareness Month 2026 aims to increase understanding of thyroid disorders, promote early detection and encourage people to seek medical evaluation when symptoms persist.
The Scope of Thyroid Disease
Millions of people worldwide are affected by thyroid disorders. According to the American Thyroid Association (ATA), more than 12% of the US population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime.
It is estimated that 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease.
Common thyroid disorders include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer.
Hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid does not produce enough hormone, is the most common condition and can lead to fatigue, weight changes, cold intolerance and cognitive difficulties.
Hyperthyroidism, marked by excess hormone production, may cause anxiety, rapid heartbeat, heat intolerance and unintended weight loss.
Thyroid conditions disproportionately affect women and can emerge at any stage of life, including during pregnancy or after childbirth.
It is estimated that women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid issues, and one in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime, according to the ATA.
Family history, autoimmune disease and iodine imbalance are among the risk factors, underscoring the importance of awareness and screening in at-risk populations.
Why Thyroid Disorders Are Often Missed
One of the challenges in diagnosing thyroid disease is that symptoms frequently overlap with those of stress, aging or other chronic conditions. Fatigue, mood changes and weight fluctuations are common complaints in primary care, which can delay thyroid testing.
Simple blood tests can assess thyroid function, yet many individuals remain undiagnosed for years.
Thyroid Awareness Month encourages patients to advocate for themselves and clinicians to consider thyroid screening when symptoms are persistent or unexplained.
New Diagnosis and Treatment Advances for Thyroid Disorders
Significant progress has been made in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders. High-sensitivity lab tests, improved imaging technologies and more personalized treatment approaches are helping clinicians tailor care to individual patients.
Treatment options vary depending on the condition and may include hormone replacement therapy, medications to suppress thyroid activity, radioactive iodine or surgery. For thyroid cancer, advances in molecular diagnostics and targeted therapies are improving outcomes and reducing unnecessary interventions.
In the thyroid space, Amgen’s Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw) is the first and only FDA-approved biologic for thyroid eye disease (TED), also known as Graves’ eye disease, in the US, where it has been a market leader for the past couple of years since its 2020 approval, addressing a previously unmet need.
Tepezza generated nearly $1.9 billion in US sales in 2024 and hit $1 billion+ blockbuster status in its first full year on the market in 2021. Tepezza’s US market expansion is also supported by recent FDA label updates broadening its indication, and Amgen’s efforts to educate providers and improve payer coverage.
Potential upcoming Tepezza competitors include Sling Therapeutics’ IGF-1R inhibitor linsitinib, which posted positive results from a Phase IIb/III trial earlier this year, meeting its primary endpoint of proptosis (protrusion of the eyeball from the orbit) reduction.
Viridian Therapeutics also shared positive long-term durability data from its pivotal Phase III Thrive clinical program evaluating veligrotug (“veli”) for the treatment of active TED.
Digital health tools and real-world data are also beginning to play a role in long-term disease management, helping patients track symptoms, medication adherence and quality-of-life outcomes.
The Importance of Awareness and Education
Thyroid Awareness Month 2026 serves as a reminder that education is a critical first step toward better health outcomes. Increased awareness can lead to earlier diagnosis, more effective treatment and improved quality of life for people living with thyroid disease.
Public awareness campaigns also help reduce stigma and misinformation, empowering individuals to recognize symptoms and engage in informed conversations with healthcare providers.
As research continues to uncover the complex role of the thyroid in overall health, the need for awareness remains as important as ever. By highlighting thyroid disease each January, Thyroid Awareness Month helps ensure that this vital gland receives the attention it deserves, encouraging early detection, advancing care and supporting millions of people affected by thyroid conditions.
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