Hypothyroidism causes

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Hypothyroidism Main page

Patient Information

Overview

Classification

Primary hypothyroidism
Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Secondary hypothyroidism
Tertiary hypothyroidism

Differentiating different causes of hypothyroidism

Screening

Diagnosis

History and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Causes

There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism.

Common Causes

Historically and, still, in many developing countries iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism world-wide. In present day developed countries, however, hypothyroidism is mostly caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or by a lack of the thyroid gland or a deficiency of hormones from either the hypothalamus or the pituitary.

Less Common Causes

  • Hypothyroidism can result from postpartum thyroiditis, a condition that affects about 5% of all women within a year after giving birth. The first phase is typically hyperthyroidism. Then, the thyroid either returns to normal or a woman develops hypothyroidism. Of those women who experience hypothyroidism associated with postpartum thyroiditis, one in five will develop permanent hypothyroidism requiring life-long treatment.
  • Hypothyroidism can also result from sporadic inheritance, sometimes autosomal recessive.