Hypothyroidism is a health condition where the thyroid gland in your neck does not make enough hormones.
These hormones are very important because they control how your body uses energy. They affect many parts of the body, including your heart, brain, and how fast you burn calories.
One common cause of hypothyroidism is a disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This happens when the immune system, which usually protects the body, mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland.
This damage makes it harder for the thyroid to make hormones. Scientists think this might happen because of a mix of genes and something in the environment, but they are still trying to understand it fully.
Another cause of hypothyroidism is treatment for hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid makes too much hormone. Doctors may treat it with surgery or radioactive iodine to lower hormone levels. But sometimes these treatments lower the levels too much, causing hypothyroidism instead.
In many parts of the world, not getting enough iodine in the diet is a major reason people get hypothyroidism. Iodine is a mineral that the thyroid needs to make hormones. It is found in some foods and is often added to salt. If people do not get enough iodine, their thyroid cannot work properly.
Certain medications can also cause hypothyroidism. One example is lithium, which is used to treat bipolar disorder. This medicine can make it harder for the thyroid to work. Scientists are still learning how these drugs affect thyroid function so they can help patients better.
Pregnancy is another time when hypothyroidism can happen. The body goes through many hormone changes during pregnancy, which can affect the thyroid. This kind of hypothyroidism often goes away after the baby is born, but it is important to watch carefully because the thyroid is very important for the baby’s development.
Some people are more likely to get hypothyroidism because of their genes. Studies with families and twins have shown that it can run in families. This means your risk may be higher if someone in your family has it.
Preventing hypothyroidism depends on the cause. Eating enough iodine can help if the cause is not having enough in your diet. But for other causes, like Hashimoto’s disease, there is no sure way to prevent it. That is why early diagnosis and treatment are important.
Doctors usually treat hypothyroidism by giving patients a synthetic (man-made) thyroid hormone. This medicine helps replace the missing hormones. Doctors check blood tests regularly to make sure the dose is just right.
Hypothyroidism has many causes, such as autoimmune diseases, medical treatments, not enough iodine, and more. Learning about these causes helps doctors treat patients better and helps researchers find new ways to help in the future. With the right care, most people with hypothyroidism can live healthy and active lives.
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