This brief communication proposes various indices of epidemicity and endemicity which may be used to predict the future prevalence of hypothyroidism. Taking advantage of knowledge related to the natural progression of autoimmune thyroid disease, it uses data from two recent Indian epidemiological studies to assess the epidemicity or endemicity of thyroid disease in the country. The hypothesis generated in this communication will be of help to clinicians as well as policy makers.
Keywords: Autoimmune thyroid disease; endemicity of thyroid dysfunction; epidemicity; epidemicity of thyroid dysfunction; index; overt hypothyroidism; prevalence; subclinical hypothyroidism; thyroid epidemiology; thyroid peroxidise.