Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Primary hypothyroidism is a condition in which a defect in the thyroid gland leads to reduced production of thyroid hormone.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The thyroid gland is an important organ that regulates
Primary hypothyroidism is when the thyroid cannot make the hormones T3 and T4 because of a problem with the gland itself. In the U.S., the most common cause is destruction of the thyroid gland by the immune system. This condition is called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Not having enough iodine in the diet is a rare cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S.
Other causes of primary hypothyroidism include:
- Certain drugs such as lithium
- Radiation exposure to the neck
- Radioactive iodine used for treatment of
hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) - Special x-ray dyes
- Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland
Some women develop hypothyroidism after pregnancy (often referred to as “postpartum thyroiditis"). In other cases, the cause of hypothyroidism is unknown.
Problems with the pituitary gland and hypothalamus may also cause the thyroid gland to produce too little thyroid hormone. This condition is called secondary hypothyroidism.
Risk factors for hypothyroidism include:
- Age (older than 50)
- Female gender
- Obesity
- Thyroid surgery
- X-ray or radiation treatments to the neck
Review Date: 06/17/2008
Reviewed By: Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Endocrinology
and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed
Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
