Hypothyroidism - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

The Facts on Hypothyroidism

The thyroid is a gland located in the neck below the Adam's apple. It helps control the body's metabolic rate by producing the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyroxine (T3).

Hypothyroidism is the most common of the thyroid disorders. It occurs when the thyroid gland becomes underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormones. The metabolic rate falls and normal bodily functions slow down. Up to 10% of women over the age of 65 show some signs of hypothyroidism. Although less common, hypothyroidism does occur among the young. Neonatal hypothyroidism, called cretinism, is associated with mental retardation, jaundice (yellowing of skin), poor feeding, breathing difficulties, and growth problems.

Causes of Hypothyroidism

The common causes and risk factor's of Hypothyroidism include the following:

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a disease of the thyroid gland where the body's immune system attacks the gland.

Lymphocytic Thyroiditis After Hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid Destruction (from radioactive iodine or surgery).

External beam radiation, which is used to treat some cancers, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma. This radiation treatment can destroy the thyroid gland.

Causes of hypolliyroidism in adults include:

Inadequate production of thyroid hormone. usually after thyroidectomy or radiation therapy, inflammation, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis or such conditions as amyloidosis and arcoidosis.

Pituitary failure to produce thyroid stimulating hormone, hypothalamic failure to produce thyroid-releasing hormone, inborn errors of thyroid hormone synthesis, iodine deficiency or use of such anti thyroid medications as propylthiouracil.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms

Symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism and their degree of severity may vary and depend on the duration and extent of thyroid hormone deficiency. Individuals with hypothyroidism may experience:

Fatigue

Weakness

Intolerance to cold

General symptoms — Thyroid hormone normally stimulates metabolism, and most of the symptoms of hypothyroidism reflect slowing of metabolic processes. General symptoms may include fatigue, sluggishness, weight gain, and difficulty tolerating cold weather.

Skin — Hypothyroidism can decrease sweating. The skin may become dry and thick. The hair may become coarse or thin, eyebrows may disappear, and nails may become brittle.

Reproductive system — Women with hypothyroidism have menstrual cycle irregularities, ranging from absent or infrequent periods to very frequent and heavy periods. The menstrual irregularities can make it difficult to become pregnant, and pregnant women with hypothyroidism have an increased risk for miscarriage during early pregnancy.

Treating and Preventing Hypothyroidism

Treating hypothyroidism requires replacing hormones with synthetic or natural thyroid hormones. The easiest and most effective thyroid hormone replacement involves a synthetic form of T4 that is taken orally (by mouth). The tablets are available in a variety of strengths, and doses are adjusted for each individual until the correct hormone levels in the blood are reached and there is a satisfactory control of symptoms.

Surgery

Surgery for hyperthyroidism is generally reserved for special circumstances. Although surgical removal of part of the thyroid gland was once a popular approach to reduce thyroid hormone levels, it is now uncommon in the US. Exceptions include cases in which the patient is allergic to--or will not use--radioactive iodine or antithyroid drugs. In addition, surgery may be performed when the thyroid has grown so large as to obstruct the windpipe or esophagus. Complications of thyroid surgery include excessive loss of thyroid function (hypothyroidism) and a small risk of damaging the vocal cords or other structures in the throat.

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