Causes of Hypothyroidism

Reading time: 2 min

The main causes of hypothyroidism are: 

Enfermedad autoinmune

Autoimmune disease. The immune system that protects the body against infection may mistake thyroid cells and their enzymes for foreign aggressors and attack them, leaving insufficient cells to produce the necessary amount of thyroid hormone. It is a disease that can begin acutely or develop slowly over many years, and it is most typically seen in women. The most common forms are Hashimoto's thyroiditis and atrophic thyroiditis.  

Mujer con un raya en el cuello. Extirpación parcial o total del tiroides.

Partial or total removal of the thyroid by surgery. Some people with thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer or Graves' disease need surgery to remove part or all of their thyroid gland. If the entire gland is removed, the person will develop hypothyroidism. If part of the thyroid is left intact, it may produce enough thyroid hormone to keep blood levels within the normal range. 

Medicines, pills

Radioactive iodine treatment. In people treated with radioactive iodine for other thyroid diseases (Graves' disease, nodular goitre or thyroid cancer), as well as those who have undergone therapeutic irradiation to the neck or head (cancer, lymphoma, etc.), some or all of their thyroid function may be lost.

Bebé con glándula tiroide inflamada. Hipotiroidismo congénito

Congenital hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism in newborns). Some children are born without a thyroid or with a partially formed or abnormally located (ectopic) gland, or with thyroid cells or enzymes that do not function normally, which can lead to hypothyroidism.

Glándula tiroides inflamada. Tiroiditis.

Thyroiditis. This is an inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by an autoimmune attack or a viral infection. In its first phase, this inflammation leads to the release of thyroid hormone from within the gland, causing hyperthyroidism and, subsequently, a decrease in thyroid function, leading to hypothyroidism. This can be permanent (chronic thyroiditis) or temporary (subacute thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis).  

Pill with prescription meds

Medications (amiodarone, lithium, interferon, interleukin, immunotherapy). These cause hypothyroidism more frequently in patients with a predisposition to developing autoimmune thyroid disease. 

Productos que contienen yodo. Gamba, lácteo y verdura

Iodine excess or deficiency. Thyroid hormones contain a large amount of iodine. This requires a balanced iodine intake, as excessive iodine, as well as iodine deficiency, can cause or aggravate hypothyroidism. 

Glándula hipofisaria. Hipófisis.

Pituitary disease. The pituitary gland tells the thyroid gland how much thyroid hormone to produce. If the pituitary gland is not functioning and does not stimulate the thyroid, the thyroid gland stops producing enough hormone. 

Mujer destaca zonas piernas y tiroide y un rayo. Enfermedades raras infiltrativas del tiroides

Rare infiltrative thyroid diseases. Some diseases such as amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, and haemochromatosis cause an abnormal substance to build up in the thyroid (amyloid, granulomas, or iron, respectively). This prevents it from functioning normally. 

As a preventive measure, sufficient iodine intake (iodised salt, fish and seafood, dairy products, fruit and vegetables) is recommended.

Información general de Thyroid diseases

Consulta toda la información relacionada con Thyroid diseases

Read more

Substantiated information by:

Felicia Alexandra Hanzu
Mireia Mora Porta

Published: 18 June 2021
Updated: 18 June 2021

The donations that can be done through this webpage are exclusively for the benefit of Hospital Clínic of Barcelona through Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica and not for BBVA Foundation, entity that collaborates with the project of PortalClínic.

Subscribe

Receive the latest updates related to this content.

Thank you for subscribing!

If this is the first time you subscribe you will receive a confirmation email, check your inbox

An error occurred and we were unable to send your data, please try again later.