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Classification of Thyroid Diseases

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Thyroid, Obesity and Metabolism

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Abstract

Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are common conditions with potentially devastating health consequences that affect all populations worldwide. Thyroid dysfunction is common, readily identifiable and easily treatable, but, if undiagnosed or untreated, it can have profound adverse effects at all ages. There is an increase in thyroid disease awareness and in the availability of sensitive laboratory assays for the measurement of thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism commonly arise from pathological processes within the thyroid gland (primary thyroid disease), although in rare cases, they can arise from disorders of the hypothalamus or pituitary (central hypothyroidism) or from peripheral causes. Iodine nutrition is a key determinant of thyroid disease risk; however, other factors, such as aging, smoking status, alcohol consumption, syndromic conditions, genetic susceptibility, sex, ethnicity, presence of other autoimmune conditions, endocrine disruptors, and the advent of novel therapeutics also influence thyroid disease epidemiology. Nodular thyroid disorders are prevalent in areas where iodine deficiency is common, while autoimmune thyroid (AIT) disorders, including Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves’ disease, occur more frequently in iodine-replete populations. The incidence of thyrid cancer worldwide has recently registered an increase in papillary thyroid cancer cases, though most of these cancers are small and localized. In the present chapter, the main clinical thyroid disorders will be presented focusing on epidemiological and clinical features.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrinology and Diabetology Service, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy

    Sabrina Corbetta

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  1. Sabrina Corbetta
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Correspondence to Sabrina Corbetta .

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  1. Department of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS MultiMedica, Sesto San Giovanni and Ospedale San Giuseppe, Milano, Italy

    Livio Luzi

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Corbetta, S. (2021). Classification of Thyroid Diseases. In: Luzi, L. (eds) Thyroid, Obesity and Metabolism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80267-7_2

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