Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormones to meet the body’s needs. There are several potential causes of hypothyroidism, including:
- **Hashimoto’s thyroiditis**: This is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation and damage. Over time, this can result in a decrease in thyroid hormone production and hypothyroidism.
- **Iodine deficiency**: Iodine is an essential mineral required for the production of thyroid hormones. In areas where dietary iodine intake is insufficient, hypothyroidism can develop due to inadequate thyroid hormone synthesis. However, iodine deficiency is less common in regions where iodine is routinely added to salt or other foods.
- **Thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine therapy**: Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) or treatment with radioactive iodine for conditions such as thyroid cancer or hyperthyroidism can result in hypothyroidism if the remaining thyroid tissue is unable to produce enough thyroid hormones.
- **External radiation therapy**: Radiation therapy to the head, neck, or chest for the treatment of certain cancers (such as head and neck cancers or Hodgkin lymphoma) can damage the thyroid gland and lead to hypothyroidism.
- **Medications**: Certain medications, particularly those containing lithium (used to treat bipolar disorder), amiodarone (used to treat heart rhythm disorders), or interferon-alpha (used to treat certain cancers and viral infections), can interfere with thyroid function and contribute to hypothyroidism.
- **Congenital hypothyroidism**: Some infants are born with an underactive thyroid gland due to abnormalities in thyroid development or function. This condition, known as congenital hypothyroidism, requires prompt diagnosis and lifelong treatment to prevent complications and ensure normal growth and development.
- **Pituitary or hypothalamic disorders**: Hypothyroidism can occur as a secondary consequence of disorders affecting the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, which are involved in regulating thyroid hormone production. These disorders may include pituitary tumors, pituitary dysfunction, or hypothalamic dysfunction.
Please remember that if you have another autoimmune disease such as type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency), you have an increased risk of developing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Understanding the underlying cause of hypothyroidism is crucial for appropriate management and treatment. A healthcare provider can perform diagnostic tests, such as thyroid function tests and antibody tests, to determine the cause of hypothyroidism and develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to the underlying condition.
Hello, thanks for this explaining essay. I wonder can i take selenium while I am using euthyrox?
Hi! Yes you can take euthyrox and selenium at the same time. The studies about this topic were done with 200 mg/d selenium supplements. So you can take 200 mg/d selenium. If possible, please measure your serum selenium levels to avoid overdose. In the future, we can share an article on selenium and autoimmune thyroid disorders (Hashimato’s and Graves thyroiditis).