Hypothyroidism happens when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. It produces hormones that control metabolism. The most common form is Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis occurs when:
These factors increase your chance of developing hypothyroidism:
Risk factors include:
Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.
Years may pass before you notice symptoms.
Symptoms include:
Symptoms of severe or prolonged cases include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical and family history, and perform a physical exam. To confirm the diagnosis, blood tests will be done, which include:
In the early stages of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, there is no specific treatment. But, in most cases, you will end up developing hypothyroidism. Treatment includes:
To help reduce your chance of getting hypothyroidism, take the following steps:
RESOURCES:
The American Thyroid Association
http://www.thyroid.org/
Women's Health.gov
http://womenshealth.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Institute for Health
http://www.cihi.ca/
Thyroid Foundation of Canada
http://www.thyroid.ca/
References:
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. AACE medical guidelines for clinical practice for the evaluation and treatment of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Endocrine Practice . 2002;8:457-469.
Braunwald E. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 15th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2001.
Escobar-Morreale HF, Botella-Carretero JI, Escobar del Rey F, et al. Treatment of hypothyroidism with combinations of levothyroxine plus liothyronine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab . 2005;90:4946-4954.
Hypothyroidism. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated June 2008. Accessed July 7, 2008
Roberts CG, Ladenson PW. Hypothyroidism. Lancet . 2004;363:793-803.
Surks MI, Ortiz E, Daniels GH, et al. Subclinical thyroid disease: scientific review and guidelines for diagnosis and management JAMA . 2004;291:228-238.
Last reviewed November 2008 by David Juan, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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