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Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. See also: Chronic thryoiditis (Hashimoto's disease; Subacute thyroiditis; Silent thyroiditis; Neonatal hypothyroidism.
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Hypothyroidism, or a condition of insufficient thyroid hormone in the body, develops when the thyroid gland fails to produce or secrete as much thyroxine (T 4 ) and triiodothyronine (T 3 ) as the body needs. Because T 4 regulates such essential functions as heart rate, digestion, physical growth, and mental development, an insufficiency of this hormone can slow life-sustaining processes, damage organs and tissues in every part of the body, and lead to life-threatening complications.
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Hypothyroidism is the condition that reflects decreased concentrations of thyroid hormones, due to any cause. The resulting hypometabolic state causes decreased heat production and generally slows many of the bodies' processes. Its prevalence is 1 to 3 percent of young to middle-aged adults, mainly women, and its incidence rises with age. Severe hypothyroidism occurs in 2 to 4 percent of women older than seventy years of age, and milder forms of disease in 8 to 15 percent. Outside of North America, iodine deficiency is a major cause of hypothyroidism. In the United States, causes include Hashimoto's disease and treatment of hyperthyroidism—either by surgery or radioactive iodine (I-131). Treatment for hypothyroidism consists of hormone supplementation, generally synthetic l-thyroxine, taken once per day. M ARTIN I. S URKS ( SEE ALSO : Goiter ; Hyperthyroidism ; Iodine ; Thyroid Disorders ; Thyroid Function Tests )
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When you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormone. With hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland produces too much hormone. A goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland.
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Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, develops when the thyroid gland fails to produce or secrete as much thyroxine (T 4 ) as the body needs. Because T 4 regulates such essential functions as heart rate, digestion, physical growth, and mental development, an insufficient supply of this hormone can slow life-sustaining processes, damage organs and tissues in every part of the body, and lead to life-threatening complications.
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Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, develops when the thyroid gland fails to produce or secrete as much thyroxine (T 4 ) and triiodothyonine (T 3 ) as the body needs. Because these thyroid hormones regulate such essential functions as heart rate, digestion, physical growth, and mental development, an insufficient supply of this hormone can slow metabolic processes, damage organs and tissues in every part of the body, and lead to life-threatening complications.
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