Hypothyroidism

Generic Name: 
Too little thyroid hormone
Definition: 

Hypothyroidism is the name of a condition in which the body has little or insufficient thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone operates the body's metabolism, therefore, anyone afflicted with hypothroidism will have the same affects as someone with a slow metabolism.

Approximately 3% of Americans (or 10 million people) have Hypothroidism, and as much as 10% of women suffer to some degree on the spectrum of hypothyroidism.

The two most common causes of this condition listed in order of prevalence are:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis (or, Hashimoto's thyroiditis), which is inflammation of the thyroid resulting from one's own immune system
  • Inflammation of the thyroid that leaves cells in the thyroid damanged and unable to function normally to produce thyroid hormone
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