Causes Hypothyroidism
Here are some of the key factors behind the causes of hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is a relatively common disease and it is estimated that 3% to 5% of the population have it. It is characterized by a lack of thyroid hormones which could directly or indirectly involve the thyroid gland.
One of the key reason behind the causes of hypothyroidism is the hereditary condition known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune condition wherein the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. As a result, the thyroid gland becomes inflammed and has a diminished capability to create thyroid hormones. Females are 5-10 times more likely to have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis than males, thus making them a lot more vunerable to hypothyroiditis.
Iodine deficiency can also be the causes of hypothyroidism. Iodine is an important constituent in the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine and for that reason a shortage of it in the body may cause problems in the formulation of these necessary hormones.
Another reason behind an under active thyroid is a condition of the thyroid glands referred to as lymphocytic thyroiditis. A white blood cell called lymphocyte causes the swelling of the thyroid glands. This is very common following having a baby, affecting 8% of women immediately after giving birth. The condition will be started by a hyperthyroid period in which the thyroid gland releases too much amounts of thyroid hormones. It is accompanied by the hypothyroid period which can go on as much as 6 months.
Ironically, a few treatments may also bring about an under active thyroid. Iodine-131, a radioisotope of iodine that is used to help remedy a thyroid condition called Graves’ disease, can greatly damage the thyroid gland. Other medicines which are used to address the causes of hyperthyroidism may also result in hypothyroidism as well like methimazole and propylthiouracil. The psychiatric drug lithium and medications that contain considerable amounts of iodine like amiodarone and potassium iodide can also modify the thyroid function, resulting in the hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism that indirectly involves the thyroid glands are called secondary and tertiary hypothyroidism. This happens when there is problem in the pituitary glands and the hypothalamus, respectively, and so they can’t signal the thyroid glands to make adequate hormones. This happens when the pituitary glands are unable to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), most of the time due a tumor in the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus.
Diseases Associated With Hypothyroidism
Hyporthyroidism is a medical condition that is characterized by inadequate production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid glands. Though iodine deficiency may cause this condition, most of the time it’s a result of an underlying condition. Most of them are autoimmune conditions, in which the immune system assaults the person’s own parts of the body, and in the case of the causes of hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is a very serious health problem because it includes other systems of the body. Here are a few of the diseases which are generally related to hypothyroidism.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that is indicated by hyperthyroidism, the contrary condition of hypothyroidism, wherein the thyroid glands makes too much thyroid hormones. Individuals who have Graves’ disease have a malfunctioning immune system that makes antibodies that mimic thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), causing the thyroid gland to make too much. The treatment of Graves’ disease entails the use of antithyroid medications, iodine-131 (a radioisotope of iodine), or thyroidectomy, which essentially suppresses or fully eliminates the thyroid gland. This in turn will result in the hypothyroid state of those who have Graves’ disease.
Another autoimmune disorder that is linked to the causes of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is among the most common cause of hypothyroidism in North America. In this condition, the immune system directly assaults the thyroid gland, confusing it as a foreign body and triggering its destruction. In this case, antibodies such as leukocytes get involved with thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin, and TSH receptors. This will lead to the inflammation and subsequently, the destruction of the thyroid gland hence creating the hypothyroid disorder. It’s also theorized that this ailment is hereditary.
One more autoimmune condition that is also connected along with the causes of hypothyroidism is Addison’s disease. Addison’s disease is an endocrine problem wherein the adrenal glands make insufficient levels of cortisol and aldosterone. Sometimes, this condition develops in conjunction with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This disorder is called Schmidt’s syndrome. Besides the symptoms of Addison’s disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, individuals who have Schmidt’s syndrome may also develop vitiligo, type 2 diabetes, myasthenia gravis, pure red cell aplasia, pernicious anemia, Graves’ disease, alopecia, sarcoidosis, or immunoglobulin A deficiency.