Hypothyroidism/Myxoedema : Thyroid Gland – Causes


Causes & Risk Factors

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is inflammation of the thyroid gland, which damages the gland’s cells. Autoimmune or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, is the most common example of this. Some women develop hypothyroidism after pregnancy (often referred to as “postpartum thyroiditis”).
Other common causes of hypothyroidism include:

  1. Congenital (birth) defects
  2. Radiation treatments to the neck to treat different cancers, which may also damage the thyroid gland
  3. Radioactive iodine used to treat an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
  4. Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland, done to treat other thyroid problems
  5. Viral thyroiditis, which may case hyperthyroidism and is often followed by temporary or permanent hypothyroidism

Certain drugs can cause hyperthyroidism, including:

  1. Amiodarone
  2. Drugs used for hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), such aspropylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole
  3. Lithium
  4. Radiation to the brain

Risk factors include:

  1. Age over 50 years
  2. Being female

Tests & Diagnostics


  1. Brittle nails
  2. Coarse facial features
  3. Pale or dry skin, which may be cool to the touch
  4. Swelling of the arms and legs
  5. Thin and brittle hair

A chest x-ray may show an enlarged heart.
Laboratory tests to determine thyroid function include:

  1. Serum TSH
  2. T4 test

Lab tests may also reveal:

  1. Anemia on a complete blood count (CBC)
  2. Increased cholesterol levels
  3. Increased liver enzymes
  4. Increased prolactin
  5. Low sodium

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