Hypothyroidism - Causes

Hypothyroidism may be due to many factors, including the following:

• Autoimmune disease: An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system produces antibodies that attack the body. Sometimes, this process involves the thyroid gland, causing hypothyroidism.
• Treatment for hyperthyroidism: The condition in which excessive amounts of thyroid hormone is produced is known as hyperthyroidism. In some cases, the treatment of hyperthyroidism can result in hypothyroidism.
• Thyroid surgery: Removing the thyroid gland can reduce the production of thyroid hormones, which can lead to symptoms of hypothyroidism.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation used to treat cancers of the head and neck can affect the thyroid gland and lead to hypothyroidism.
• Medications: A number of medications can contribute to hypothyroidism. If the patient is on any particular medication for a long time, they must ask our doctors about its effect on their thyroid gland.
• Congenital disease: Sometimes, a child is born with a defective thyroid gland or no thyroid gland.
• Pregnancy: Some women develop hypothyroidism during or after pregnancy.
• Iodine deficiency: Deficiency of the mineral iodine found primarily in seafood, seaweed and plants grown in iodine-rich soil and iodised salt - and, as a result, in your diet - can cause hypothyroidism.