Hyperthyroidism - the clinical syndrome resulting from excessive circulating levels of thyroid hormones - is considered to be a relatively 'new' illness since it was first diagnosed in 1979 in the US. Since this time, the frequency of this diagnosis has increased with one recent study suggesting that 12% of the UK cat population over the age of nine years are diagnosed with this condition each year. A US publication reported that the frequency of hyperthyroidism is increasing and many UK vets also feel that this illness is becoming more common. This might be because of increased awareness of the disease (and hence it is being tested for more often) but could also be result of the increasing life-length of many cats. Since we still do not fully understand the cause of hyperthyroidism, it is also possible that the disease is becoming more common for other reasons. Worldwide, hyperthyroidism is believed to be the most common hormonal disease in cats, with diabetes mellitus a close second. The frequency of hyperthyroidism varies quite markedly according to where the cat lives - for example it is a common diagnosi: in the US and UK, but is rarely diagnosed in Greece and Scandinavian countries.
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