Hypothyroidism

Jane is not fond of eating sea foods. She has been living in the city all her life and has grown
accustomed to fast foods. At 34, she started noticing a growing lump in her neck area. She
consulted her physician and her physician told her that her low iodine levels had lead to
goiter, and this may further progress to hypothyroidism.

Description

Thyroid deficiency can affect all body functions and can range from mild, subclinical
forms to advanced forms.

 Hypothyroidism results from suboptimal levels of thyroid hormone.

 Hypothyroidism also commonly occurs in patients with previous hypothyroidism
that has been treated with radioiodine or antithyroid medications or thyroidectomy.
 The term myxedema refers to the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides in
subcutaneous and other interstitial tissues.

Classification

The types of hypothyroidism are classified according to their causes:

 Central hypothyroidism. There is a failure of the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus,

or both to stimulate production of thyroid hormones.
 Secondary or pituitary hypothyroidism. The cause is entirely a pituitary disorder in
secondary hypothyroidism.
 Tertiary or hypothalamic hypothyroidism. This refers to the cause as a disorder of
the hypothalamus resulting in inadequate secretion of TSH due to decreased
stimulation of TRH.
 The thyroid disorder is already present at birth in cretinism.