Primordial and Primary Preventions of Thyroid Disease.

Background: Primordial and primary preventions of thyroid diseases are concerned with avoiding the appearance of risk factors, delaying the progression to overt disease, and minimizing the impact of illness.

Summary: Using related key words, 446 articles related to primordial and primary, preventions of thyroid diseases published between 2001-2015 were evaluated, categorized and analyzed. Prevention and elimination of iodine deficiency are major steps that have been successfully achieved and maintained in many countries of the world in last 2 decades. Recent investigations related to the effect of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and autoimmunity in the prevention of thyroid disorders have been reviewed.

Conclusions: The cornerstone for successful prevention of thyroid disease entails timely implementation of its primordial and primary preventions, which must be highly prioritized in related health strategies by health authorities.