Secondary hypothyroidism
Secondary hypothyroidism is a rare condition characterized by inadequate levels of thyroid hormone in the body due to a problem with the pituitary gland. Unlike primary hypothyroidism, which is caused by a problem with the thyroid gland itself, secondary hypothyroidism occurs when the pituitary gland fails to produce enough thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Secondary hypothyroidism is most commonly caused by damage to the pituitary gland. This can occur as a result of a pituitary tumor, surgery or radiation treatment to the pituitary, or diseases that infiltrate the pituitary, such as sarcoidosis or histiocytosis. In rare cases, secondary hypothyroidism can be caused by a congenital defect in the pituitary gland or by a problem with the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls the pituitary gland.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of secondary hypothyroidism are similar to those of primary hypothyroidism and can include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, and depression. However, because the problem is with the pituitary gland rather than the thyroid gland, people with secondary hypothyroidism may also have symptoms related to other hormonal deficiencies, such as decreased libido, infertility, and irregular menstrual periods in women.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of secondary hypothyroidism involves blood tests to measure levels of TSH and thyroid hormone. In secondary hypothyroidism, TSH levels are low or normal, while thyroid hormone levels are low. This is in contrast to primary hypothyroidism, where TSH levels are high. Imaging tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, may also be used to check for a pituitary tumor or other abnormalities.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for secondary hypothyroidism involves replacing the missing thyroid hormone with a synthetic version. This is usually taken as a daily pill. In addition, any underlying cause, such as a pituitary tumor, needs to be treated.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Secondary hypothyroidism Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
