What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland
fails to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones (thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)). Hypothyroidism is associated with a decreased metabolic rate. Over 5 million Americans suffer from this condition, and many of them don’t even realize it. The thyroid gland can be found just below the larynx, in front of and to either side of the trachea (windpipe).
Historically, iodine deficiency was the main cause for hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland is the only tissue in our body that can absorb iodine and iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production. If a person’s diet lacks sufficient iodine, hypothyroidism can develop. However, we mostly get our iodine through iodized table salt.
Thyroid hormones are essential for all tissues in the body, since thyroid hormones regulate every cell’s metabolism. If thyroid output is insufficient, more thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is being produced by the pituitary gland (a small sized gland in the middle of the brain just below the hypothalamus). The continued stimulation of the thyroid gland could result in a greatly enlarged thyroid, called a thyroid goiter.
