Why Thyroid Disorders Are Plaguing South Asian Women

In high school, Shriya Bansal didn’t know why she felt so lethargic all the time. It wasn’t until an uncle suggested she visit the doctor that she got her diagnosis: hypothyroidism, or abnormally low activity of the thyroid. 

Bansal’s story is far from uncommon. The thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland at the base of our necks, produces hormones that help control everything from our blood pressure to metabolism and reproductive systems. Worryingly, research shows that thyroid disorders are increasing among South Asians, particularly women. And other scientists warn that thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy in the U.S., enough to be a public health concern. So why aren’t we talking about it more?