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What causes hypothyroidism essay
What causes hypothyroidism essay
Critical analysis essay on anatomy and physiology hypothyroidism
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Hypothyroidism is a disease in which the thyroid gland produces and releases insufficient amounts of the thyroxine hormone – causing the body’s metabolism to slow. This decrease in hormonal activity can cause further developmental and health problems as thyroxine is an important growth hormone. Hypothyroidism is not gender skewed, it can occur in either sex – at any age – however it is most often apparent among middle aged women (Litin, 1017). There are many signs and symptoms that arise from this condition that can be detected during the extra-oral examination portion of the dental appointment, making hypothyroidism an important documentable disease. It is in the clinician’s best interest to be able to identify these symptoms to further guide …show more content…
As a treatment for this condition, the patient should seek guidance of their physician for a prescribed daily medication. Medications such as Levothroid, Levoxyl, and other synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxines are often prescribed to level the hormone function by the function of a single pill (Litin, 1018). Symptoms of the disease should diminish as the medication is taken and should be completely subsided after a few months of the prescribed treatment. The treatment is often lifelong and routine blood tests are suggested to be taken as it is common for the body’s thyroid production to change over the patient’s lifetime (Litin, 1018). It is important for the patient to be consistent when taking their prescribed medication, and to note it on their medical history as it is possible it could cause complications with other …show more content…
With this in mind, the physician often suggests a blood sample to be taken for analysis of the thyroxine hormone levels at each annual physical (Litin, 1017). An underactive thyroid is characterized by many symptoms, and if shown at an earlier age the doctor may also draw blood to test. The family medical history of the patient is an important collection as well. If the patient has a parent, grandparent or close relative with an autoimmune disease, the need to test for hypothyroidism increases significantly (Litin, 1018). Through the testing of the patient’s levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine, the physician will be able to correctly diagnose their symptoms as a result to having hypothyroidism. In response to not receiving enough thyroxine, the pituitary will make extra TSH – in an attempt to persuade the thyroid to produce more hormone (Norman). The constant flourish of high TSH causes the thyroid gland to become a goiter by enlargement (Norman). It is noted that low levels of the hormone thyroxine with a combination of high levels of TSH, is an affirmation sign of hypothyroidism (Litin, 1018). Once the patient is correctly diagnosed, the physician may begin treating the
First I will be discussing about the thyroid gland, so the thyroid gland is a gland in the neck that secretes hormones. These hormones regulate growth and development, and metabolism. The main hormone secreted is Thyroxine. So when a person like Margie is diagnosed with hypothyroidism it means the thyroid gland does not secrete enough hormones. As many females get over the age of 50, they are more at risk of developing hypothyroidism. The symptoms
Hypothyroidism develops when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of certain hormones. (“Hypothyroidism”, n.d.). Hypothyroidism can be broken down even further. The two types of hypothyroidism are congenital hypothyroidism or acquired hypothyroidism. According to Porth 2011, “Congenital hypothyroidism develops prenatally and is present at birth. Acquired hypothyroidism develops later in life because of primary disease of the thyroid gland or secondary to disorders of hypothalamic or pituitary origin.” (p. 786). Some common symptoms include increased sensitivity to cold, dry skin, fatigue, constipation, drowsiness, hypothermia and muscle weakness (“Hypothyroidism”, n.d.).
The exact cause of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is unknown, but many factors are believed to play a role. A family history of thyroid disorders is common, with the HLA-DR5 gene being one of the genes that could potentially trigger it. In addition Hashimoto's thyroiditis may be associated with CTLA-4 (Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte Associated-4) gene polymorphisms that result in lower functioning of the gene's products, which are associated with special regulation of T-lymphocyte activity. Downregulatory gene polymorphisms affecting CTLA4 are also associated with autoimmune pathology seen in the development of Type I diabetes. The strong genetic component suggesting this theory was first recognized in studies on monozygotic twins, with a concordance of 38-55%, with an even higher concordance of circulating thyroid antibodies not in relation to clinical presentation (up to 80% in monozygotic twins). Neither result was seen to a similar degree in dizygotic twins, so it offers a strong favor for high genetic aetiology.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that was discovered by Robert Graves in 1835. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the thyroid gland and causes hyperthyroidism. Graves’ disease occurs when the antibodies like thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin and thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAbs) attack the thyroid gland as if it were a foreign object or a virus of some sort. This disease is the most common type of hyperthyroidism. Attacking the thyroid gland in such a manner makes it excessively overproduce the hormone thyroxine which controls the body’s metabolic rate. Heightened activity of the thyroid can increase the body’s metabolism by 60% to 100%. (Weeks 34-35).
Today in America thyroid disease is becoming a much larger issue and the worse part of this problem is that many people are not yet diagnosed. This is due to the lack of education and awareness about thyroid disease. There are many different types of diseases but the one that I am passionate about is hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid is when the thyroid is no longer able to produce triiodothyronine, also known as T3 and thyroxine, also referred to as T4. Some of the symptoms include unexpected weight gain, tiredness, depression, or slow movements and thoughts. Most of the time many people notice the way that their bodies act on what they are feeling to their physicians. Many Americans struggle with this disease that
If you have too little of thyroid hormones, it is called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism symptoms include feeling tired, gaining weight, and grogginess. The amount of the hormone released from the thyroid gland is regulated by the pituitary glan...
The following presentation will help this class in the teaching of a patient with hypothyroidism. The expected outcome of this presentation for the patient will be as follows:
Graves’ disease is considered an auto immune disorder. It is also a hyperthyroid disorder that leads to the over activity of the thyroid gland. Graves’ disease is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Many people suffer from symptoms. This paper will talk about the causes of the disease, research that has been conducted and how it can be treated.
15-Mutneja. P, Dhawan. P, et al. Menopause and the oral cavity. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism (2010); 16(4): 548-551.
The thyroid gland is found in the front of the neck and produces two main hormones. The hormones are called thuroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). Together these hormones regulate the body’s metabolism by increasing energy use in cells, regulate growth and development, help to maintain body temperature and aid in oxygen consumption. These two hormones are regulated by hormones produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamus senses changes in body’s metabolic rate and releases a hormone known as thyropin-releasing hormone (TRH). This hormone then flows through connecting vessels to the pituitary gland which signals it to release another hormone. This hormone is known as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH then makes its way to the bloodstream until it reaches the thyroid where it is then signaled to activate T3 and T4 production [1]. This mechanism is controlled by a negative feedback loop meaning that when there is a sufficient amount of thyroid hormones in the blood stream, this will signal back to stop production of thyroid stimulating hormones. Complications occur when the thyroid hormones keep increasing even though there is already a sufficient amount of T3 and T4 in the blood stream. This process of over expression of thryroid hormones is known as hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a general term that includes any disease that has a consequence of an overabundance of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is a general term but there are many variant diseases that are in the hyperthyroidism category. These diseases include diffuse toxic goiter, Basedow’s disease, thyrotoxicosis, Parry’s and Graves’ disease.
Cygan, R., & Rucker, L. (1983). Thyroid hormone replacement. Western Journal of Medicine, 1(2), 550-554.
Tymstra, T. (1986) False Positive Results in Screening Tests: Experiences of Parents of Children Screened for Congenital Hypothyroidism, Oxford University Press Vol3, No. 2
Among these disorders are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which one is diagnosed for having and underactive thyroid. The probability for women over the age of sixty to develop an underactive thyroid is higher than those of other individuals. If left untreated it can potentially lead to obesity, joint pain, heart disease, and other health complications. On the contrary, hyperthyroidism is a disorder in which a person is diagnosed for having an overactive thyroid. This can cause nervousness and anxiety, hyperactivity, unexplained weight loss, and swelling of the thyroid gland which causes a noticeable lump to form on throat (known as a
While the symptoms are all the same, many different names have been attributed to menopause-like symptoms in males. Some physicians use the term “SLOH” or “Symptomatic Late Onset Hypogonadism” to describe andropause while others who prefer to label it a deficiency refer to it as ‘”ADAM” or “androgen deficiency of the male”. Whether or not andropause should be treated depends on one’s physician’s opinion on the matter. Some believe that andropause is a natural state that all aging males undergo and that it shouldn’t be treated as a medical abnormality while others believe that there are considerable positive effects of hormone therapy. Supporters of hormone therapy do not agree with the idea that lower hormone levels are simply a natural process of aging. They point out that as life expectancy has increased, so has the need to treat aging-related hormonal shifts. In order to form an opinion on whether andropause should be considered a treatable disease, it’s important to understand its physiological process and an underlying condition known as “adrenopause”.
Congenital hypothyroidism is the most common disorder identified by routine newborn screening. It is found in about 1:3000 screened infants (Dussault, 1993). The major clinical features of untreated congenital hypothyroidism are growth retardation and delayed cognitive development leading to mental deficiency.