Hypothyroidism causes

Revision as of 14:35, 23 August 2012 by Daniel Nethala (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{Hypothyroidism}} {{CMG}} ==Overview== ==Causes== There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism. ===Common Causes=== Historically and, still, in many develop...")
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

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.