1️⃣ Autoimmunity
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. In the case of the thyroid, this leads to its inability to produce adequate hormones.

It is unclear why this happens, but it’s likely a combination of factors, such as your genes and / or an environmental trigger. It is for this reason I include Thyroid Antibodies with a thyroid profile (TSH + T4) when requesting blood tests for a patient. I’ve had many patients to date who have only had their TSH levels checked by their doctor which does not give you much insight at all. Knowing that autoimmunity is the most common cause, it’s imperative to have your antibodies checked. This is important when it comes to treatment as hormonal replacement (eltroxin; euthyrox etc.) does NOT treat hashimoto’s. Treatment and lifestyle changes differ depending on the cause of hypothyroidism and will be elaborated on in posts following. 

2️⃣ Nutrient Deficiency
Nutrient deficiencies, like those caused by birth control pills and other medications or poor dietary choices, can affect thyroid function.
➡️ Zinc and selenium are two minerals vital to the thyroid. They help the thyroid to produce T4 and to convert it to T3. Zinc helps thyroid hormone communicate with cell receptors. Without these key nutrients, your thyroid’s ability to function can be severely compromised.
➡️ B vitamins are required for the body to synthesize thyroid hormone. If you’re deficient in these, you will not produce enough thyroid hormone.
➡️ 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.

3️⃣Over-response to hyperthyroidism treatment.
People 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.

4️⃣Pregnancy and Post Partum
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 preeclampsia — 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. Post partum thyroiditis can be the reason for difficult weight loss or depression.

5️⃣Surgical Removal
If you have your thyroid surgically removed, your body will be unable to produce any thyroid hormone by itself, thus making you hypothyroid.

6️⃣Radiation therapy. Radiation used to treat cancers of the head and neck can affect your thyroid gland and may lead to hypothyroidism.

I will be discussing treatment protocols and lifestyle changes you can make depending on the CAUSE of your hypothyroidism in posts to follow 🍃

Article written by Dr Tharushka Naidoo