Hypothyroidism is a common disease. It has been diagnosed in more than 1 percent of the American population. Approximately 5 percent of people older than 60 years of age suffer from this disorder. Hypothyroid diseases occur when the body is not producing enough of the thyroid hormone. As a result, metabolism slows down. You may also gain weight, have muscle weakness, constipation and dry hair and skin.
Hashimoto Thyroiditis
According to Paul Fitzgerald, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, this type of hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disease in America. Women are much more affected than men by this autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and destroys it. Hashimoto's carries the risk of B cell lymphoma and papillary carcinoma, one type of thyroid cancer.
Reidel Thyroiditis
Orlo Clark, M.D., professor and vice chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of California, writes in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery," that Reidel thyroiditis is a hypothyroid disease caused by inflammation. It is characterized by a hard, firm mass in the thyroid gland. The mass is called "woody" because of its appearance. The inflammation can affect some of the muscles in the throat; if it presses on the esophagus or trachea, surgery may be needed.
Cretinism
Cretinism is the word that is used to describe hypothyroidism in infants and young children. It can be caused by the mother not having enough iodine, which is needed to make the thyroid hormone, by the infant not having a thyroid gland, or if the body is having problems making the thyroid hormone. This is a rare disease in America where the food supply is rich in iodine and infants are screened at birth. Ramzi Cotran, M.D. writes in "Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease," that if an infant has cretinism, it takes months to recognize the symptoms. By then, mental retardation usually has developed and growth has been stunted. Physically, the infant will develop a large tongue, puffiness around the eyes, a flat nose, dry skin and eyes that are set wide apart.
References
- "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery"; Gerard Doherty, M.D.; 2010
- "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2009"; Stephen McPhee, M.D., Maxine Papadakis, M.D.; 2009
- "Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease"; Ramzi Cotran, M.D., Vinay Kumar, M.D., Stanley Robbins, M.D.; 1994
