Common Causes of Thyroid Problems
- Grave’s disease: This is known to be an auto-immune disorder and is also considered to be one of the most known causes of hyperthyroidism. This medical condition is known to occur when the immune system starts to produce antibody that tend to stimulate the entire thyroid gland. This can lead to over activity and high levels of thyroid hormones.
- Toxic adenomas: There are certain goitres which contain nodules that tend to grow in the thyroid gland and start to secrete the excess thyroid hormones which ultimately end up in upsetting the chemical balance of the body. This is also known as toxic nodular goitre.
- Sub-acute thyroiditis: This is known to cause thyroid gland in becoming inflamed and also lead to excessive hormones thereby leading to temporary form of hyperthyroidism. It can also last for weeks but may persist for few months. This hyperthyroidism can then be also followed by hypothyroidism.
- Pituitary gland malfunctioning: At times there are cancerous growth or it can be dysfunction of the pituitary gland ultimately leading to occurrence of thyroid issues. Secondary hyperthyroidism can be caused when the pituitary gland is sake to make too much of TSH thereby leading to constant stimulation of the thyroid gland. The pituitary tumour can also cause the TSH levels to rise. In rare cases the pituitary gland tends to become insensitive towards the thyroid hormones thereby no longer responding to the high levels.
- Hashimoto’s disease: This is basically an autoimmune disorder wherein the immune system of the body starts to attack its own thyroid tissues thereby resulting into a decrease in the formation of thyroid hormone. This can then lead to occurrence of hypothyroidism which is a condition in which the thyroid is known to not make enough of hormones for the need of the body. The exact cause of this disease is not known yet but it has been believed that there are many factors which can play a role out here. There can be a genetic component to the disease. Hormonal factors, exposure to excessive iodine and radiation are certain other triggers for this disease.
- Exposure to iodine for prolong period: With the use of heart medicines, sinusitis medicines, and the contrast dyes which are administered prior to the X-rays all provide an exposure to excess iodine which again is known to cause hypothyroidism. Iodine is considered to be a naturally occurring element which is very much needed for the good health of the individual. Exposure to such high levels of stable or radioactive iodine can lead to damage of the thyroid gland
- Thyroid gland removal: While carrying out the treatment for hyperthyroidism, the thyroid may be destroyed chemically or it can be removed through surgical process. For those who had their whole thyroid removed will see a dip in the thyroid hormone level hence there would be a need to go in for thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Hence for replacing the thyroid hormone there would be a need for taking medications.
- Lithium: Those medicines which contain lithium are also known to be liked with causing certain thyroid issues such as hypothyroidism. Lithium exposure is also known to cause goitre issues in an individual. Hence due to the high incidence of the thyroid dysfunction which can also occur during the lithium treatment hence it is important that patients should undergo a careful thyroid physical examination as well as determining the TSH levels before starting with the lithium treatment.
- Use of radiation therapy: Certain kind of radiations in various regions of the body such as for treating the neck or the head cancers are all known to cause damage to the thyroid gland thereby resulting into hypothyroidism. Exposure to radiation at a very young age is known to be risk factor for the development of thyroid cancer which can last for decades or probably for a lifetime post the exposure. The medical radiation exposure is quite frequent. There has been a rise in the use of computerised tomography again leading to radiation exposure. Hence it is best to avoid radiation exposure for avoiding any such incidences.
- Treating hyperthyroidism: Those individuals who suffer from hyperthyroidism are mostly given anti-thyroid medications for normalising or reducing the functions of thyroid but such kind of treatments can certain times lead to permanent damage.
