Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Although anyone can develop hypothyroidism, you're at an increased risk if you:

  • Are a woman older than age 50
  • Have an autoimmune disease
  • Have a close relative, such as a parent or grandparent, with an autoimmune disease
  • Have been treated with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications
  • Received radiation to your neck or upper chest
  • Have had thyroid surgery (partial thyroidectomy)
References
  1. Hypothyroidism. The American Thyroid Association. www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Hypo_brochure.pdf. Accessed April 16, 2010.
  2. Hershman JM, et al. Thyroid diseases. In: Halter JB, et al. Hazzard's Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5133014&searchStr=hyperthyroidism. Accessed April 14, 2010.
  3. Lal G, et al. Thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal. In: Brunicardi FC, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5027159&searchStr=hyperthyroidism#5027159. Accessed April 14, 2010.
  4. Cooper DS, et al. The thyroid gland. In: Gardner DG, et al. Greenspan's Basic & Clinical Endocrinology. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2629453&searchStr=hypothyroidism. Accessed April 14, 2010.
  5. Hypothyroidism and myxedema. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5189255&searchStr=hypothyroidism. Accessed April 14, 2010.
  6. Bauer DC, et al. Thyroid disease. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Pathophysiology of Disease: An Introduction to Clinical Medicine. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5371611&searchStr=hypothyroidism. Accessed April 14, 2010.
  7. Diseases of the peripheral nerves. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams & Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3641633. Accessed April 24, 2010.
DS00353 June 12, 2010

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