The Wellbeing and Labour Market Implications of Thyroid Conditions

Our research (Montagna and Zangelidis, 2023), reveals an often-overlooked economic burden faced by women with undiagnosed hypothyroidism.

Using UK nationally representative data, we show that women with undiagnosed hypothyroidism face an 18% gender wage gap. That’s 5% higher than the national average of 13%. This wage penalty doesn’t appear overnight; it begins to impact women’s earnings up to five years before they receive a diagnosis.

These findings align with insights from our Thyroid Patient Survey [link to survey page], which shows that many thyroid patients endure symptoms for an average of five years before receiving a confirmed diagnosis.

However, a diagnosis can be a turning point. Our research shows that once women are diagnosed, they typically see improvements in their wage recovery and employment prospects.

By understanding the hidden economic costs of thyroid dysfunctions, we can advocate for better healthcare policies, workplace adjustments, and employer support to ensure that people with thyroid conditions receive the care and understanding they need to thrive in their professional lives.

Our thyroid patients’ survey provides some very important insights into the often-overlooked realities of living with thyroid dysfunctions. It reveals the difficult path many patients face from symptom onset to diagnosis, particularly for those with hypothyroidism—the most common thyroid condition.

The data shows that it takes an average of 4.5 years for patients to receive a confirmed diagnosis of a thyroid condition, with the wait being longer for those suffering from hypothyroidism. This lengthy process typically involves multiple doctor visits and worsening symptoms before patients finally get answers.

Even after starting treatment, many patients continue to struggle. Persistent issues such as fatigue, cognitive difficulties, muscle weakness, weight fluctuations, and mental health challenges remain all too common. Alarmingly, 20% of respondents reported seeing no improvement in their symptoms despite receiving treatment, and only a small fraction expressed satisfaction with their outcomes.

Navigating the workplace with a chronic health condition like thyroid dysfunction can be challenging. However, our research (Montagna and Zangelidis, 2024) uncovers the crucial role that thyroid patients’ voice in the workplace can play in improving the work experience.

Our findings reveal that employees dissatisfied with their thyroid treatment are more likely to disclose their condition to their employer. The response from employers plays a critical role in shaping the impact of thyroid conditions on work engagement. When employers react with understanding and sympathy, the adverse effects of thyroid conditions on work engagement are significantly reduced.

Our research highlights a clear message: open communication and support in the workplace are key. When employees feel safe to share their health challenges and receive a positive response, they are more likely to thrive professionally. Supportive employers can directly improve labour market outcomes for employees with thyroid conditions, improving labour market outcomes, such as wages, promotion prospects, job mobility, and working hours.

Employers have the power to make a difference in the lives of their employees with chronic health conditions. By adopting compassionate policies, promoting open conversations, and offering reasonable adjustments, they can help create a healthier, more inclusive workplace for all.

Good healthcare starts with good communication. Yet, our survey revealed significant challenges in the dialogue between thyroid patients and healthcare providers, highlighting key areas where change is urgently needed. One-third of respondents shared that they didn’t feel heard during consultations. This issue is particularly pronounced among hypothyroidism patients, who reported lower levels of involvement, empowerment and being heard compared to individuals with other thyroid conditions. This disconnect can have serious consequences, potentially undermining the effectiveness of treatment and delaying recovery from symptoms.

Our research also found that the type of healthcare provider making the diagnosis influences patient experiences. Patients diagnosed by specialist consultants reported higher levels of involvement and empowerment than those diagnosed by general practitioners (GPs). Interestingly, this effect was even stronger when the consultant was a woman, suggesting that empathy and communication style may play a critical role in patient satisfaction and ability to communicate with health practitioners.

Feeling involved, empowered, and truly heard during medical consultations can significantly improve outcomes for thyroid patients. Our research shows that when patients feel their voice is valued, they report:

• Higher satisfaction with their treatment
• Better physical health and overall well-being
• Improved family and social relationships
• Better labour market outcomes (including higher wages).

These findings underscore the need for systemic changes in thyroid care. Healthcare providers must prioritize active listening, open communication, and patient-centred care to improve experiences and outcomes for those living with thyroid conditions.

By ensuring that patients are heard and involved in their care decisions, we can foster a more supportive healthcare environment—one where patients feel empowered to manage their condition and achieve better health outcomes.

Because, at the end of the day, being heard matters.