The first epidemiological survey of thyroid disease in China published by the Chinese Medical Association Endocrinology Branch in 2010 showed that the prevalence of “hypothyroidism” has reached 6.5% (one hypothyroid patient in every 15 people). Hypothyroidism is increasingly becoming a major killer that threatens people’s health.
First, the etiology of hypothyroidism has many causes, the main ones are.
1, thyroiditis
(1) chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), more common.
(2) Subacute thyroiditis (subacute thyroiditis).
2. Medical causes
(1) Excessive removal of thyroid tissue during treatment of hyperthyroidism, excessive application of 131 iodine, excessive doses of anti-thyroid drugs, etc.
(2) After surgical removal of benign and malignant thyroid tumors, especially after thyroid cancer surgery.
(3) Hypoplastic thyroid tissue, congenital thyroid hormone synthesis disorder.
(4) Hypothyroidism caused by severe iodine deficiency in areas with endemic goiter.
5. Hypopituitarism or hypothalamic lesions.
Second, the incidence of hypothyroidism is high, but it is easily ignored. Ninety-eight percent of patients worldwide are unaware that they have the disease, and only 2% of hypothyroid patients actively seek medical attention.
Hypothyroid patients may experience.
1. mental nervous system: emotional indifference, apathy, memory loss, mental retardation, dementia, vertigo, headache, drowsiness, and even coma
2. cardiovascular system: bradycardia, hypotension, and even heart failure.
3. digestive system: anorexia, poor appetite, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and even nausea and vomiting.
4, reproductive system: infertility, infertility, premature birth, menstrual disorders, male impotence, libido loss, female sexual frigidity, etc.
Note: Pregnant women with hypothyroidism can cause physical and intellectual developmental disorders in the fetus and give birth to children with cretinism.
5, other: physical growth retardation, stunting, abnormal body shape, mucinous edema, eyelid swelling, limb weakness, and even muscle weakness.
Third, the treatment of hypothyroidism is simple, convenient, and very cheap.
1. Severe iodine deficiency causing hypothyroidism should be supplemented with iodine, such as consumption of iodized salt, iodine-rich seaweed and other foods, iodized oil soft capsules, etc.
2. Hypothyroidism caused by subarachnoiditis can be improved with the cure of subarachnoiditis.
3. Hypopituitary hypoplasia or hypothalamic lesion should be treated for the original disease.
4. Other causes of hypothyroidism require lifelong medication: levothyroxine sodium tablets (e.g. Eugenol).
It is recommended to take a daily oral supplement of thyroxine in the morning on an empty stomach. The specific dose should be determined by the patient’s degree of hypothyroidism and the patient’s tolerance to thyroxine.