Artistic interpretation of woman with Thyroid highlighted.

WHAT IS
HYPOTHYROIDISM?

WHAT IS
HYPOTHYROIDISM?

TO UNDERSTAND HYPOTHYROIDISM,
START WITH THE THYROID GLAND1

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the lower front of your neck. It makes thyroid hormones that enter your blood and are carried to every tissue in your body. Thyroid hormones help to:

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MAINTAIN YOUR BODY’S WARMTH AND ITS USE OF ENERGY OR METABOLISM

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KEEP YOUR BRAIN, HEART, MUSCLES, AND OTHER ORGANS WORKING PROPERLY

DEFINING HYPOTHYROIDISM
AND ITS CAUSES2

Simply put, hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid gland, which means the thyroid gland is not making enough thyroid hormones to keep your body running normally.

Common causes of hypothyroidism include:

Autoimmune Disease(Hashimoto's Disease)(2)
Full or Partial Surgical Removal of the Thyroid Gland(2)
Radiation Treatment(2)
Radiation Exposure(Like Chernobyl or Fukushima)(3)
Too Much or Too Little Iodine(2)
Medications(Including Lithium)(2)

WHO IS AFFECTED BY HYPOTHYROIDISM?2

Hypothyroidism affects up to 1.65 million people in the US.
You may be at increased risk if you:

Hypothyroidism affects up to 1.65 million people in the US. You may be at increased risk if you:

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Are a woman
(hypothyroidism predominantly affects women, but men are affected, too)

Number 60

Are over 60 years old

Thyroid Image

Have a family history of thyroid disease

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Have an autoimmune disease
(eg, type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto’s disease, or celiac disease)

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Have been treated with radioactive iodine or antithyroid medications

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Received radiation to your neck or upper chest

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Have had thyroid surgery

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Have been pregnant or delivered a baby in the past 6 months

While hypothyroidism is most prevalent in women over 60 years old, studies indicate that the condition also affects many women in the 45-to-55-year-old range.4

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM2

Not all people experience hypothyroidism the same.
Hypothyroidism can affect you in a variety of individualized ways, with common symptoms including:

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  • FEELING COLDER

  • FATIGUE

  • DRY SKIN

  • BECOMING FORGETFUL AND DEPRESSED

  • WEAKENING MUSCLES

  • THINNING HAIR

  • HEAVIER OR IRREGULAR MENSTRUAL CYCLES

  • SWELLING LEGS, ANKLES, AND FEET

  • WEIGHT GAIN

  • CONSTIPATION

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HYPOTHYROIDISM CAN AFFECT YOU IN MANY WAYS.

SEE MORE >

References: 1. American Thyroid Association. Hypothyroidism (Underactive). Accessed August 14, 2020. https://www.thyroid.org/hypothyroidism/ 2. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Accessed August 14, 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20350284 3. Nagayama Y. Radiation-related thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction. J Radiat Res. 2018;59(Suppl 2): ii98–ii107.  4. Canaris GJ, Manowitz NR, Mayor G, Ridgway EC. The Colorado thyroid disease prevalence study. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:526-534.