Condition Lookup

Primary Hypothyroidism (e.g., Hashimoto's Thyroiditis)

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Symptoms:
fatigue; weight gain; cold intolerance; dry skin; hair thinning; constipation; depression; hoarseness; puffy face; bradycardia; muscle weakness; joint pain or stiffness

Root Cause:
Autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland leads to decreased production of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), resulting in high TSH levels.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests measuring TSH (elevated), free T4 (low), anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies.

Treatment:
Hormone replacement therapy with levothyroxine; monitoring of TSH and T4 levels to ensure appropriate dosage.

Medications:
Levothyroxine (synthetic thyroid hormone replacement, T4); Liothyronine (T3, less commonly used for supplementation in specific cases).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 4-10% of the global population, with a higher prevalence in women and older adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of thyroid disorders, female sex, age >50 years, iodine deficiency or excess, other autoimmune disorders (e.g., type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with proper treatment; symptoms improve significantly with levothyroxine therapy, though lifelong medication may be required.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Myxedema (severe hypothyroidism, life-threatening if untreated), infertility, cardiovascular issues (e.g., hyperlipidemia), goiter, and cognitive impairment.

Secondary (Central) Hypothyroidism

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Category: Thyroid Disorders

Sub-category: Hypothyroidism

Symptoms:
fatigue; weight gain; cold intolerance; dry skin; hair thinning; constipation; depression; hoarseness; puffy face; muscle weakness

Root Cause:
Insufficient stimulation of the thyroid gland due to pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction leading to inadequate TSH secretion.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests showing low TSH and low free T4; MRI to evaluate the pituitary or hypothalamus for tumors or structural abnormalities.

Treatment:
Hormone replacement therapy with levothyroxine; address the underlying cause, such as pituitary adenomas or structural damage.

Medications:
Levothyroxine (synthetic T4 replacement).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for less than 5% of all hypothyroidism cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Pituitary tumors, traumatic brain injury, hypothalamic diseases, radiation therapy to the head, or previous pituitary surgery.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate treatment; prognosis depends on addressing the underlying cause of pituitary dysfunction.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Delayed diagnosis may lead to severe hypothyroidism or myxedema, visual impairment (if caused by pituitary adenomas), and hormonal imbalances.

Congenital Hypothyroidism

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Category: Thyroid Disorders

Sub-category: Hypothyroidism

Symptoms:
prolonged jaundice; poor feeding; constipation; hypotonia; large tongue; puffy face; hoarse cry; delayed growth; intellectual disability if untreated

Root Cause:
Absent, underdeveloped, or dysfunctional thyroid gland at birth resulting in insufficient thyroid hormone production.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Newborn screening programs measure TSH and T4 levels; confirmatory testing includes thyroid ultrasound or scintigraphy.

Treatment:
Immediate initiation of levothyroxine therapy to normalize thyroid hormone levels and prevent developmental delays.

Medications:
Levothyroxine (synthetic T4 replacement).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1 in 2,000–4,000 live births worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of thyroid disorders, iodine deficiency during pregnancy, maternal autoimmune thyroid disease.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with early detection and treatment; normal growth and development are achievable if treated within the first few weeks of life.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
If untreated, intellectual disability, delayed physical growth, and severe hypothyroidism may occur.