Hypothyroidism

What is Hypothyroidism?

• Also known as underactive thyroid
• A chromosomal abnormality that effects the thyroid gland
• The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine gland in the body
• Responsible for hormones associated with growth and development, metabolism for energy, eating, breathing, and regulating heat

Form of Hypothyroidism

• A type of hypothyroidism, known as Congenital Hypothyroidism
• A form that is caused by improper growth of the thyroid, therefore not enough hormones are produced
• Most cases of this type have no particular cause, 10 to 20 percent possibly from mutations
• 1 in 5,000 babies are born with congenital hypothyroidism
• Most common form is in Chromosome 2, TPO Gene (Thyroid Peroxidase)

Hypothyroidism may be caused by...

Possible causes...

• An autoimmune disease attacking the thyroid gland
• Medical Operations (Surgery) or Radiation to treat thyroid cancer and/or other medical conditions
• Rare/unusual event in gene during early development

Autosomal Recessive (Mom and Dad Carriers)

Symptons/Diagnosis

Effects vary by age

• Babies, growth and mental development, causing intellectual disability, delayed puberty, stunted growth, and ataxia (uncoordinated muscle movements).
• Adults, feel mentally and physically slow, metabolism slows as well, other complications are weakness, fatigue, muscle aches, mood swings, hair loss, memory loss, or slow speech.
• Systems determined based on hormone production

Other issues...

• Lack of hormone production in the thyroid gland prompts the pituitary gland to produce TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
• Causing an enlarged thyroid, forming a goiter (aka very big UH-OH)

How doctors Diagnose Hypothyroidism

• Babies are screened 24 hours after birth
• Blood samples are taken at the baby's heel to test for low thyroid hormones production or high TSH

Prognosis/Treatment

Treating Hypothyroidism

• Patients undergo hormone replacement therapy, an alternative to increase thyroid hormone production, taken daily
• Treatment during early development can prevent symptoms from reoccurring, baby can grow normally