The clinical syndrome of hypothyroidism is marked by inadequate thyroid hormone production, resulting in a decreased rate of cellular metabolism. It may be primary, in which the dysfunction pertains to the thyroid gland itself, or secondary, due to hypothalamic or pituitary dysfunction 1.
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Epidemiology
Disproportionately affects females in a 10:1 ratio compared to males. Clinically symptomatic hypothyroidism is less common than subclinical hypothyroidism and becomes more common with increasing age. The most common cause depends on the patient population; in the United States autoimmune diseases, especially Hashimoto thyroiditis, causes the majority of cases, whereas in highly iodine-deficient populations (such as those who reside in Southeast Asia, especially populations further inland) iodine deficiency is the most common cause 3.
Clinical presentation
Hypothyroidism affects almost every organ system, with common presenting complaints including:
shortness of breath
muscle/joint pain
hoarseness
periorbital/peripheral (non-pitting) edema
weight gain
menstrual irregularity
cold intolerance
constipation
In cases of severe hypothyroidism, patients may present with a myxedema coma, which presents with reduced/altered mental state, hypothermia, severe constipation (including myxedematous megacolon), bradycardia, hypotension, hypoventilation, hypoglycemia, and gross myxedema 5.
ECG
sinus bradycardia
prolonged QT interval
flattening/inversion of T waves
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interventricular conduction delays
especially right bundle branch block 2
Pathology
Etiology
Pathology of the thyroid gland itself may result in primary hypothyroidism, whereas pathology which affects the pituitary and hypothalamic production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and/or thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) (respectively) is referred to as secondary hypothyroidism. Common etiological associations are as follows 1:
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primary hypothyroidism
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iodine deficiency
post-radiation
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infiltrative disease
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secondary hypothyroidism
panhypopituitarism
post-radiation
infiltrative disease
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drug-induced
amiodarone
Radiographic features
Ultrasound
Sonographic appearance depends on underlying etiology, and may include:
abnormal size of the thyroid gland
-
alteration in thyroid echotexture
may be diffuse or nodular
abnormal color flow Doppler patterns
Treatment and prognosis
Management is with thyroid hormone replacement, typically with levothyroxine, a synthetic form of thyroxine, a.k.a. 'T4'.
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