If all of the thyroid gland is surgically removed, a person will be hypothyroid and require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement medications. If only part of the thyroid gland is removed, there is a good chance that it will still be able to make sufficient thyroid hormone. Instead of thyroid surgery or antithyroid medication, some people with hyperthyroidism are treated with radioactive iodine, which will destroy the thyroid gland, rendering a person hypothyroid.
People who undergo radiation treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma or head and neck cancer are also at risk of developing hypothyroidism. Thyroiditis describes thyroid gland inflammation and is a general term for a variety of thyroid conditions. Hashimoto's disease is the most common type of thyroiditis and is caused by an autoimmune attack. Another example of thyroiditis is subacute thyroiditis also called de Quervain's thyroiditis , which is believed to be caused by a virus.
With this type of thyroiditis, a person experiences hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism, in addition to a tender thyroid gland. Certain medications may trigger hypothyroidism. Too much iodine for example, from dietary supplements that contain kelp can cause or worsen hypothyroidism. In addition, a deficiency of iodine, which is seen in some people in underdeveloped countries, may cause hypothyroidism. Some babies are born without a thyroid gland or with only a partial thyroid gland.
Since there is no thyroid gland or not enough to produce thyroid hormone, hypothyroidism develops, which is serious and requires treatment with a thyroid hormone pill. The pituitary gland is located in the brain and stimulates other glands within the body, like the thyroid gland, to release hormones. If the pituitary gland is damaged by a brain tumor, radiation, or brain surgery, it may not function well enough to signal the thyroid gland.
This can then result in it becoming underactive. This type of hypothyroidism is called central or secondary hypothyroidism. Rarely, certain diseases, like hemochromatosis, can deposit abnormal substances iron, in the case of hemochromatosis in your pituitary gland, causing central hypothyroidism, or less commonly, your thyroid gland, causing primary hypothyroidism. Besides hemochromatosis, sarcoidosis can cause granuloma deposition in the thyroid gland.
There is also a rare condition called fibrous thyroiditis or Riedel's thyroiditis , in which fibrotic tissue replaces normal thyroid tissue. Your DNA plays a role when it comes to developing autoimmune hypothyroidism, and this has been supported by a number of studies. One German study found a fold increased risk for developing Hashimoto's thyroiditis in children and a fold increased risk in siblings of people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
When looking at the specific genes linked to Hashimoto's, scientists have found mutations in the genes for human leukocyte antigen HLA , T-cell receptors, and other molecules involved in the immune system. To further support the role of genes in developing Hashimoto's thyroiditis, people with Turner syndrome and Down syndrome both of which are genetic in origin have a higher than expected rate of autoimmune thyroid disease, especially Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
All said, though, it's important to remember that your genes are but one factor that help predict your risk of developing hypothyroidism. There are many other factors that come into play, like pregnancy or taking certain medications. In the end, it's the combination of genes and an environmental trigger that predict a person's unique risk for developing hypothyroidism. Factors that increase a person's risk of developing hypothyroidism include:. Interestingly, research suggests that selenium deficiency may be linked to developing Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism.
Moreover, having underlying headache disorders, like migraines, has been found to be associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism, especially in obese women. It's still unclear precisely how smoking affects the thyroid gland, although it's likely complex.
While some studies suggest that cigarette smoking increases the risk of hypothyroidism in people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, other research suggests that smoking is actually linked to a lower prevalence of hypothyroidism and a higher prevalence of hyperthyroidism. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto disease, and women are more likely to be affected by autoimmune conditions in general.
One reason may be that hormones play a significant role in the functions affected by autoimmune conditions, and women experience more shifts in hormones during their lifetime. Having another autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis is one factor that puts you at risk for Hashimoto thyroiditis.
A family history of the disease also increases your risk. Women are seven times more likely than men to develop Hashimoto disease.
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What Our Patients are Saying A leading indicator of our success is the feedback we get from our patients. Home Health Library. There are many health problems that can raise your risk, such as: Pregnancy—1 in 10 women get postpartum thyroiditis. Women who have had it one time are more likely to have it again in the future.
A family history of immune system problems, such as: Pernicious anemia Type 1 diabetes Rheumatoid arthritis Systemic lupus erythematosus Sjogren syndrome Having received radiation to the head or neck Prior thyroid surgery Your risk of hypothyroidism gets higher with age, especially after age Women are more likely to have this health problem than men.
You are at higher risk if any of your family members have hypothyroidism. Cornell, MD Cancer Care. Emergency Services. Cesarean Birth. Although hypothyroidism most often affects middle-aged and older women, anyone can develop the condition, including infants.
Initially, babies born without a thyroid gland or with a gland that doesn't work properly may have few signs and symptoms. When newborns do have problems with hypothyroidism, the problems may include:. As the disease progresses, infants are likely to have trouble feeding and may fail to grow and develop normally. They may also have:. When hypothyroidism in infants isn't treated, even mild cases can lead to severe physical and mental retardation. In general, children and teens who develop hypothyroidism have the same signs and symptoms as adults do, but they may also experience:.
See your doctor if you're feeling tired for no reason or have any of the other signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as dry skin, a pale, puffy face, constipation or a hoarse voice. If you're receiving hormone therapy for hypothyroidism, schedule follow-up visits as often as your doctor recommends. Initially, it's important to make sure you're receiving the correct dose of medicine. And over time, the dose you need may change.
When your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, the balance of chemical reactions in your body can be upset. There can be a number of causes, including autoimmune disease, hyperthyroidism treatments, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery and certain medications. Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland situated at the base of the front of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland — triiodothyronine T3 and thyroxine T4 — have an enormous impact on your health, affecting all aspects of your metabolism.
These hormones also influence the control of vital functions, such as body temperature and heart rate. Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones. Hypothyroidism may be due to a number of factors, including:.
Autoimmune disease. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system produces antibodies that attack your own tissues. Sometimes this process involves your thyroid gland. Scientists aren't sure why this happens, but it's likely a combination of factors, such as your genes and an environmental trigger.
However it happens, these antibodies affect the thyroid's ability to produce hormones. This rare, life-threatening condition is the result of long-term, undiagnosed hypothyroidism.
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