What are the common causes of hypothyroidism?

The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine gland in the human body and is responsible for controlling the release of energy in the human body. When there is a problem with the thyroid gland, the endocrine system becomes imbalanced, causing neck swelling. So what causes hypothyroidism?

Causes of Hypothyroidism:

1. Long-term iodine deficiency leads to insufficient raw materials for the synthesis of thyroid hormone, resulting in reduced hormone secretion and causing hypothyroidism.

2. Congenital defects: abnormal thyroid development, which is one of the causes of hypothyroidism. Abnormal thyroid development often has a family genetic tendency, and common ones include thyroid dysplasia and ectopic thyroid. However, hypothyroidism caused by such reasons is generally rare, but it is also one of the causes of hypothyroidism;

3. Pituitary disease: If the anterior pituitary function is reduced and this condition is not taken seriously, it will also lead to hypothyroidism. Therefore, we must not ignore this condition. People may have hypothyroidism due to some reasons, which will cause a decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone, affect the secretion of thyroid hormone, and produce hypothyroidism. Common factors that can cause hypopituitarism include postpartum pituitary necrosis and atrophy, tumor compression, surgery, etc.

Hypothyroidism caused by improper treatment:

1. Radioactive iodine 131 treatment: Radioactive iodine 131 treatment is to take 90% of the radioactive iodine orally and concentrate it in the thyroid tissue. The radiation will damage part of the thyroid gland and cause it to lose its physiological function, thereby reducing the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood and tissues. Most patients will develop hypothyroidism.

2. Hypothyroidism caused by thyroid surgery: For conditions such as nodules and hyperthyroidism, surgery is performed to remove part of the thyroid tissue, leading to hypothyroidism;

3. Some drugs inhibit the production of thyroid hormone.

Warm Tips:

Various types of thyroiditis lead to destruction of thyroid tissue: Common hypothyroidism caused by this type of cause includes chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and subacute thyroiditis. Inflammation damages cells, causing insufficient hormone secretion by cells, leading to hypothyroidism.