Why Indian Women Are More Prone to Thyroid Issues
India has one of the highest rates of thyroid disorders in the world, and women are disproportionately affected, with thyroid disease occurring five to eight times more frequently in women than men. An estimated 42 million Indians live with some form of thyroid disease, yet awareness, diagnosis, and nutritional management remain significantly underdeveloped.
What the thyroid does
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck that produces hormones regulating metabolism, energy production, body temperature, heart rate, and the function of almost every organ system. When it underperforms (hypothyroidism) or overperforms (hyperthyroidism), the downstream effects are wide-ranging and often mistaken for other conditions.
Why Indian women are particularly at risk
Several factors converge to make Indian women especially vulnerable. Iodine deficiency, historically common in inland and mountainous regions of India, is a primary cause of hypothyroidism. Despite iodised salt programmes, deficiency persists in certain populations. Selenium deficiency, also common in Indian soil, impairs the conversion of thyroid hormone from its inactive to active form. Autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) has a strong genetic component and is significantly more prevalent in women.
Hormonal transitions including puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause create periods of thyroid vulnerability. Many Indian women are diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction for the first time during or after pregnancy.
Symptoms commonly overlooked in India
Hypothyroidism presents as fatigue, weight gain despite no dietary change, hair thinning, cold intolerance, constipation, brain fog, and low mood. These symptoms are frequently attributed to stress, ageing, or iron deficiency without thyroid function being checked. A simple TSH blood test is the standard screening tool and should be part of routine health checks for Indian women over 25.
What nutrition can support thyroid health
Iodine from iodised salt is the most important nutritional factor. Selenium from Brazil nuts (even one or two per day), sunflower seeds, and eggs supports thyroid hormone activation. Zinc from pumpkin seeds and whole grains supports thyroid hormone production. Iron adequacy is important because iron deficiency impairs thyroid peroxidase, the enzyme central to thyroid hormone synthesis.
For people with Hashimoto's, some research suggests that reducing gluten and highly processed foods reduces autoimmune activity, though this should be discussed with a doctor rather than self-managed through dietary restriction.