Thyroid Hormone Insufficiency
Julia Wójcik
2026-03-23
7 min. read
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The most prevalent thyroid disorder, this primarily affects older individuals. However, it poses the most significant risk for pregnant women as it can result in various complications. Discover how to suspect and recognize an insufficiency of thyroid hormones.
What is the phenomenon of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a pathological condition caused by insufficient levels of thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland mainly produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), with T3 being the more active form and primarily produced from T4. Hypothyroidism can be primary or secondary. Primary hypothyroidism is due to improper functioning of the thyroid gland itself, while secondary hypothyroidism is caused by a deficiency of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that reaches the thyroid receptors and stimulates it to work. The most common cause of primary hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of antibodies against thyreoperoxidase and thyreoglobulin. To determine whether hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto's disease, the level of anti-TPO antibodies is measured. Hypothyroidism can also be caused by medication-induced damage, such as during treatment with radioactive iodine or amiodarone.
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