Hyperthyroidism Slideshow Pictures Take the Thyroid Disorder Quiz Thyroid Symptoms and Solutions Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Stephanie L Lee, MD, PhD, FACE

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

Thyroid Problems Causes

Hypothyroidism Causes

• Loss of thyroid tissue: Treatment of hyperthyroidism by radioactive destruction of thyroid tissue or surgical removal of thyroid tissue can result in hypothyroidism.
  
  
• Antithyroid antibodies: These may be present in people who have diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic hepatitis, or Sjogren's syndrome. These antibodies may cause decreased production of thyroid hormones.
  
  
• Congenital: Hypothyroidism can be present from birth. This is commonly discovered early with nationwide newborn screening for this disease.
  
  
• Defects in the production of thyroid hormone: Hashimoto's thyroiditis occurs when there are defects in the production of thyroid hormone, resulting in an increased amount of TSH. The increased TSH results in a goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland itself that can be seen as an obvious swelling in the front of the neck).
  
  
• Medications: Some medications, particularly lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), may cause a drug-induced hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism Causes

• Grave's disease: This thyroid condition results from abnormal stimulation of the thyroid gland by a material in the blood termed the thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI). TSI overstimulates the thyroid causing a goiter. It also causes Grave's eye disease, including a "bug-eyed" look and "frightened stare." This can progress to severe eye pain or eye muscle weakness causing tearing and double vision. It also causes raised, thickened skin over the shins or tops of the feet.
  
  
• Toxic multinodular goiter: This occurs when part of the thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones all by itself, without regard to TSH stimulation. It usually occurs in people with a long-standing goiter, usually in the elderly. Toxic multinodular goiter is different from Grave's disease because of the general lack of eye complications and less severe signs of hyperthyroidism.
  
  
• Thyroiditis: This inflammatory disorder of the thyroid gland includes such conditions as de Quervain's thyroiditis or Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In these conditions, you may have periods of increased thyroid hormone release due to the inflammation, causing a hyperthyroid state. As thyroid failure occurs due to the inflammatory response, hypothyroidism may occur.
  
  
• Pituitary adenoma: This tumor of the pituitary gland causes independent TSH production leading to overstimulation of the thyroid gland.
  
  
• Drug-induced hyperthyroidism: This is most commonly caused the heart medication amiodarone (Cordarone). It may be prevented by monitoring this possible side effect and weighing them against the benefits of using this heart medication.

Goiter or Nodules Causes

• Most of the time thyroid nodules and thyroid goiters do not cause any symptoms. Some goiters are found because of the thyroid hormone overproduction or underproduction from the thyroid gland. Some nodules are found because a patient or doctor sees or feels a lump in the neck
  
  
• Nodular or multinodular goiter: This is a condition in which multiple nodules form in the thyroid. There are only two conditions that cause thyroid enlargement and nodules: 1) external radiation exposure, or 2) iodine deficiency. Often several members of a family will have an enlarged goiter as the condition can be inherited
  
  
• Thyroid cancer: There are several types of thyroid cancer. The most common type, papillary thyroid carcinoma, occurs in more than 85% of cases. This type of cancer can be caused by radiation exposure as a child or adolescent, including therapeutic radiation used in the treatment of cancers or in accidents such as the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.