Hypothyroidism is a condition in which thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain crucial hormones. Hypothyroidism may not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease. Accurate thyroid function tests are available to diagnose hypothyroidism.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Fatigue
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Weight gain
• Puffy face
• Hoarseness
• Muscle weakness
• Elevated blood cholesterol level
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
• Pain, stiffness or swelling in joints
• Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
• Thinning hair
• Slowed heart rate
• Depression
• Impaired memory
• Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)

HYPOTHYROIDISM IN INFANTS

Although Hypothyroidism most often affects middle-aged and older women, anyone can develop the condition, including infants. Initially, babies born without a thyroid gland or with a gland that doesn’t work properly may have few signs and symptoms. When newborns do have problems with hypothyroidism, the problems may include,

Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice). In most cases, this occurs when a baby’s liver can’t metabolize a substance called bilirubin, which normally forms when the body recycles old or damaged red blood cells.

• A large, protruding tongue
• Difficulty breathing
• Hoarse crying
• An umbilical hernia

As the disease progresses, infants are likely to have trouble feeding and may fail to grow and develop normally. They may also have:

• Constipation
• Poor muscle tone
• Excessive sleepiness

When hypothyroidism in infants isn’t treated, even mild cases can lead to severe physical and mental retardation.

HYPOTHYROIDISM IN CHILDREN AND TEENS

In general, children and teens who develop Hypothyroidism have the same signs and symptoms as adults do, but they may also experience:

• Poor growth, resulting in short stature
• Delayed development of permanent teeth
• Delayed puberty
• Poor mental development

CAUSES

When the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, the balance of chemical reactions in the body can get upset. There can be a number of causes, including autoimmune disease, Hyperthyroidism treatments, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery and certain medications.

Autoimmune disease 

The most common cause of Hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system produces antibodies that attack your own tissues. Sometimes this process involves the thyroid gland.

Hyperthyroidism treatment 

Persons who produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) are often treated with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications. The goal of these treatments is to get thyroid function back to normal. But sometimes, correcting hyperthyroidism can end up lowering thyroid hormone production too much, resulting in permanent hypothyroidism.

Thyroid surgery

Removing all or a large portion of your thyroid gland can diminish or halt hormone production. In that case, one needs to take thyroid hormone for life.

Radiation therapy

Radiation used to treat cancers of the head and neck can affect the thyroid gland and may lead to hypothyroidism.

Medications 

A number of medications can contribute to hypothyroidism. One such medication is lithium, which is used to treat certain psychiatric disorders. If you’re taking medication, ask your doctor about its effect on your thyroid gland.

OTHER CAUSES

Congenital disease 

Some babies are born with a defective thyroid gland or no thyroid gland. In most cases, the thyroid gland didn’t develop normally for unknown reasons, but some children have an inherited form of the disorder. Often, infants with congenital hypothyroidism appear normal at birth. That’s one reason why most states now require newborn thyroid screening.

Pituitary disorder

 A relatively rare cause of hypothyroidism is the failure of the pituitary gland to produce enough thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) — usually because of a benign tumor of the pituitary gland.

 Pregnancy

 Some women develop hypothyroidism during or after pregnancy (postpartum hypothyroidism), often because they produce antibodies to their own thyroid gland. Left untreated, hypothyroidism increases the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery and pre-eclampsia, a condition that causes a significant rise in a woman’s blood pressure during the last three months of pregnancy. It can also seriously affect the developing fetus.

Iodine deficiency

The trace mineral iodine found primarily in seafood, seaweed, plants grown in iodine-rich soil and iodized salt is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. Too little iodine can lead to hypothyroidism, and too much iodine can worsen hypothyroidism in people who already have the condition. In some parts of the world, iodine deficiency is common.

RISK FACTORS

• More common in women
• Are older than 60yrs old 
• Have a family history of thyroid disease
• Have an autoimmune disease, such as Type-1 diabetes or Celiac disease
• Have been treated with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications
• Received radiation to your neck or upper chest
• Have had thyroid surgery (partial thyroidectomy)

COMPLICATIONS

Goiter: Constant stimulation of the thyroid to release more hormones may cause the gland to become larger; a condition known as a goiter. Although generally not uncomfortable, a large goiter can affect appearance and may interfere with swallowing or breathing.

Heart problems: Hypothyroidism may also be associated with an increased risk of heart disease and heart failure, primarily because high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the ‘bad’ cholesterol can occur in people with an underactive thyroid.

Mental health issues: Depression may occur early in Hypothyroidism and may become more severe over time. Hypothyroidism can also cause slowed mental functioning.

Peripheral neuropathy: Long-term uncontrolled hypothyroidism can cause damage to your peripheral nerves. These are the nerves that carry information from your brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body — arms and legs. Peripheral neuropathy may cause pain, numbness and tingling in affected areas.

Myxedema: The life-threatening condition is the result of long-term, undiagnosed Hypothyroidism. Its signs and symptoms include intense cold intolerance and drowsiness followed by profound lethargy and unconsciousness.

Infertility: Low levels of thyroid hormone can interfere with ovulation, which impairs fertility.

Birth defects: Babies born to women with untreated thyroid disease may have a higher risk of birth defects compared to babies born to healthy mothers. These children are also more prone to serious intellectual and developmental problems.

Infants with untreated hypothyroidism present at birth are at risk of serious problems with both physical and mental development. But if this condition is diagnosed within the first few months of life, the chances of normal development are good.