The most cause of hypothyroidism is due to the low thyroid hormones caused by over treatment of hyperthyroidism.
One of the most common treatment causing hypothyroidism is the ingestion of radioactive iodine. Although the radioactive iodine is one of the most effective cure for hyperthyroid condition, the long term side effects 20 years later are low thyroid hormones and rarely bone cancer. These are more common in women because the person taking the radioactive iodine is usually a woman.
Hypothyroidism is a condition caused by insufficient production of the thyroid hormones, usually more common in females.
Primary causes:
1.Congenital:
Aplasia(no thyroid), Hypoplasia(small thyroid), ectopic(not at normal site) thyroid gland
2.Autoimmune Thyroiditis(hashimoto thyroiditis):
inflammation cause insufficient production of thyroid hormones
3.Iodine deficiency can cause less production of thyroxine
Secondary Causes:
1.Radioactive iodine reduces production of thyroid hormones
2.Excess removal of thyroid gland causes reduced production of thyroid hormones.
3.Hypothyroidism during or after pregnancy.
These women develop antibodies to their own thyroid gland resulting in underproduction of thyroid hormones.
Other rarer causes include
4. radiation treatment for cancers of the head and neck,
5.pituitary problems
Symptoms
Congenital Hypothyroidism:
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1.puffy face
2.enlarged protruberant tongue
3.hypotonia
4.sluggish reflexes
5.enlarged fontanelle
6.retardation of development
Adult Hypothyroidism:
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1.Slowness of movement
2.slowness of thought
3.unexplained weight gain
4.cold intolerance
5.dry coarse skin
6.hair loss
7.puffy face
8.menorrhagia
9.constipation
10.depression
11.husky voice
12.bradycardia(slow heart beats)
Confirmation is by:
1.blood test is done for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels.
TSH is usually high for Hypothyroidism
2.blood test for T4 and T3 levels.
Low levels of T4 and T3 usually means Hypothyroidism
3.Thyroid ultrasound scan for ectopic and congenital hypothyroids
Treatment is by:
1.Hormone replacement with daily doses of synthetic thyroxine
2.Blood is taken regularly to test the level of TSH.
3.thyroxine dosage is adjusted until there is a normal TSH level.
4.Life long treatment of patients with thyroid hormones
Dramatic response and very good reaction to treatment occurs in most cases.
Mental retardation and slow physical development occurs in congenital hypothyroidism
I've been taking desiccated porcine thyroid supplements and has been a great help in managing my hypothyroidism. No other supplement has ever helped me aside from this. It has truly worked wonders.
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