Lethargy or underactive thyroid gland is one of the common types of disorders that affect the thyroid gland, which means its inability to secrete its hormones sufficiently to complete the vital body processes efficiently, which affects your body and leads to the emergence of many symptoms that alert to the presence of a problem that needs treatment, you know in this article on Causes of hypothyroidism Common and uncommon and who are the people most susceptible to this problem.

The main function of the thyroid gland is to regulate the functions of the body, whether it is regulating the heartbeat, or regulating the work of the digestive system, etc., and all this through the hormones it produces, and therefore the deficiency in the production of these hormones causes a problem for the body, and several symptoms of hypothyroidism appear that you must pay attention to. she has.

Causes of hypothyroidism

There are several reasons for the occurrence of hypothyroidism, including common causes and some uncommon but influential causes, as follows:

Common causes of hypothyroidism

1- Hashimoto’s autoimmune disease

It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, and it is called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Because of this disease, the immune system produces a number of antibodies that attack the tissues and cells of the thyroid gland and prevent it from secreting its hormones, but there is no clear cause for this disease, and scientists attribute this to genetic and hereditary reasons. .

2- Excessive response to hyperthyroidism treatment

Some people with hyperthyroidism develop an abnormal and excessive response to medication therapy or to radioactive iodine treatment, as the treatment causes hormone production to decrease much less than required, causing permanent hypothyroidism.

3- Total or partial removal of the thyroid gland

Of course, when a large part of the thyroid gland is removed or completely removed for the purpose of treatment, it becomes impossible to produce its hormones, and therefore the body will need hormone replacement therapy for life.

4- Radiotherapy

The thyroid gland can be affected and become sluggish due to radiation therapy directed at the head and neck area for the purpose of treating any type of cancer in this area.

5- Take some medications

Some types of medication can cause hypothyroidism, such as lithium, which is used to treat some mental illnesses. If you are taking medication that contains lithium, be sure to ask your doctor about its effect on the thyroid gland.

Uncommon causes of hypothyroidism

Some less common conditions that can cause hypothyroidism are:

1- Birth defects from birth

Some children are born with congenital deformities in the thyroid gland or its absence, and there is no specific reason for this and often does not show clear signs of it from the first day, so some countries require imaging of the thyroid gland immediately after birth.

2- Pregnancy

It is one of the causes of hypothyroidism in women, although it is not common, but some pregnant women can develop hypothyroidism during pregnancy or immediately after childbirth, due to the formation of the immune system of antibodies that attack the thyroid gland, and leaving this condition without treatment can lead to It causes complications and may threaten the continuation of the pregnancy.

3- A defect in the pituitary gland

It is known that the pituitary gland secretes important hormones that regulate the functioning of the thyroid gland and its hormones, and when a defect occurs in the pituitary gland, it is unable to secrete its hormones at a normal rate, causing hypothyroidism, but it is a relatively rare condition.

4- Iodine deficiency in the body

Iodine is found naturally in seafood, seaweed, and iodized salt, and it plays a key role in the production of thyroid hormones. People with iodine deficiency.

Who are the people most susceptible to hypothyroidism?

In addition to the causes of an underactive thyroid gland, there are several factors that can cause an increased risk of developing hypothyroidism, and the people most at risk are:

1. Women are more susceptible than men.
2. Those with a family history of autoimmune diseases.
3. Those with a history of thyroid disease.
4. Those who have previously had thyroid surgery.
5. Those with an autoimmune disease.
6. The elderly are more susceptible.
7. Radiation exposure to the neck.
8. The elderly are more susceptible.
9. People of Asian or Caucasian descent.
10. Those who suffer from hormonal disorders such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.
11. Those taking lithium as a treatment (more common among patients with bipolar disorder).
12. People with a chromosomal disorder such as Down syndrome and Turner syndrome.

Can hypothyroidism be prevented?

Hypothyroidism cannot be prevented. As we mentioned, the causes of hypothyroidism are not due to avoidable habits or diseases. However, the development and complications of hypothyroidism can be prevented by observing the symptoms of hypothyroidism, especially if you have one of the factors we mentioned earlier. Then consult a doctor about it and adhere to the treatment of thyroid laziness that the doctor will prescribe in order to live with it without complications.