LGR Holistic Wellness

All your glands, including your thyroid, depend on each other. Because of this, there can be many reasons why your thyroid gland may begin to produce fewer hormones than your body needs.

From heart problems to muscle weakness, high cholesterol to skin issues and more, hypothyroidism can be responsible for many bothersome and dangerous health conditions.

Knowing what causes hypothyroidism can help you avoid the many health problems linked to this influential gland.

Hypothyroidism Causes in Infants, Kids, Teens and Adults

An under-active thyroid most commonly affects middle-aged and older women. Men are by no means immune to this problem, and the condition can unfortunately appear in teens and younger children, even infants. Thyroid problems can be congenital, that is, present at birth, or may be acquired at any stage of life.

Hypothyroidism in teenagers and non-infant children is usually caused by conditions and influences which trigger this problem in adults as well. At first symptoms may be mild, but left untreated, serious mental and physical health problems can develop.

This is because your thyroid releases hormones directly into your bloodstream, which circulates throughout your body. Some common hypothyroidism causes in children, teens and adults include:

Autoimmune Diseases

Inflammation in the human body is linked to most chronic diseases. There is a specific inflammatory disorder which is known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This is believed to be one of the most common causes of an under-active thyroid. An autoimmune disorder means your body’s defense system attacks its own tissues and cells. It incorrectly sees your thyroid activity as a threat, and starts attacking this important gland.

Doctors and scientists are not certain why the body produces antibodies that attack itself, but when this happens to your thyroid gland, it can adversely affect the number of thyroid hormones you produce.

This is believed to be either a genetic flaw, or something that is triggered by a virus or bacterium. If you are diagnosed with some type of autoimmune disease or disorder, you are at higher risk for hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism Treatment

When your thyroid is doing its job too well, this can be just as problematic as when it is not producing enough hormones. Sometimes the treatment for hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid producing too much hormones) causes your thyroid to under-produce.

In other words, the treatment works too well. Sometimes this is due to anti-thyroid medications, or the application of radioactive iodine. Unfortunately, treating an overactive thyroid sometimes results in permanent hypothyroidism.

Surgery

Sometimes a doctor will prescribe surgery to treat some issue with your thyroid. If a significant portion of your small thyroid gland is removed, this can cause a halt in hormone production. The answer is taking thyroid hormone supplements for the rest of your life.

Medications

Lithium is one of several medications which sometimes contribute to the development of hypothyroidism. It is often prescribed in psychiatric disorders. If you’re taking medication of any kind, consult your doctor about its possible effect on your thyroid gland.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation can be a powerful tool in the treatment of many conditions. When radiation is used to treat cancer in your neck or head, it can adversely affect how your thyroid gland works.

Other Causes

In less frequent cases, a pituitary disorder or pregnancy may lead to an under-active thyroid. The same is true if you are born with a congenital disease, a thyroid gland that simply doesn’t function correctly, or no thyroid gland. Another uncommon cause of hypothyroidism is an iodine deficiency, a condition which rarely exists in modern, westernized countries.