Introduction
Thyroid dysfunction is epidemic in North America. One in ten adult American women have been diagnosed with thyroid disorders, and some endocrinologists suggest that as many as 25% of adult American women are presenting with clinically detectable thyroid dysfunction. Health practitioners in Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Ireland report a similar increase in female thyroid disorders. Most veterinarians in small animal practice are seeing thyroid problems in cats and dogs increase up to 40%. Cats tend to be hyperthyroid, while dogs tend to be hypothyroid.
What has happened? Are healthcare practitioners becoming more aware of the many facets of thyroid dysfunction presentations? Has something happened in the environment that is responsible for the apparent great increase in clinical and subclinical thyroid dysfunction?
