Congenital hypothyroidism, previously known as cretinism
What does congenital hypothyroidism cause?
Affected babies may show no features of the condition, although some babies with congenital hypothyroidism are less active and sleep more than normal. They may have difficulty feeding and experience constipation. If untreated, congenital hypothyroidism can lead to intellectual disability and slow growth .
What disorder is caused by a deficiency of thyroid secretion?
hypothyroidism , a deficiency in hormone production by the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism usually results from a disorder of the thyroid gland, in which case it is described as primary hypothyroidism.
Is caused by a deficiency of thyroid secretion also known as an underactive thyroid?
Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid doesn't create and release enough thyroid hormone into your body. This makes your metabolism slow down, affecting you entire body. Also known as underactive thyroid disease, hypothyroidism is fairly common.
Which term describes a congenital form of hypothyroidism?
cretinism . a congenital form of hypothyroidism.
At what age do thyroid problems start?
The disease is hereditary and may develop at any age in men or women, but it's much more common in women ages 20 to 30 , according to the Department of Health and Human Services .
What foods are bad for thyroid?
The thyroid gland is a shield-shaped gland located in your neck. It secretes the hormones T3 and T4 that control the metabolism of every cell in the body. Foods that are bad for the thyroid gland include foods from the cabbage family, soy, fried foods, wheat , foods high in caffeine, sugar, fluoride and iodine.
What are the signs and symptoms of congenital hypothyroidism?
- jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
- sleeping longer or more often than usual.
- constipation.
- a large soft spot (fontanel) on the head.
- large, swollen tongue.
- weak (“floppy”) muscle tone.
- swelling around the eyes.
- poor or slow growth.
What is the treatment for congenital hypothyroidism?
Congenital hypothyroidism is treated by giving thyroid hormone medication in a pill form called levothyroxine . Many children will require treatment for life. Levothyroxine should be crushed and given once daily, mixed with a small amount of water, formula, or breast milk using a dropper or syringe.
Is congenital hypothyroidism a disability?
Congenital hypothyroidism is one of the most common treatable causes of intellectual disability . Screening programs have been established in most developed countries to detect and treat this disorder, which affects approximately 1 in 2000 to 1 in 4000 newborns [1,2].
What is the main cause of thyroid problems?
Problems with the thyroid can be caused by: iodine deficiency . autoimmune diseases , in which the immune system attacks the thyroid, leading either to hyperthyroidism (caused by Graves' disease) or hypothyroidism (caused by Hashimoto's disease) inflammation (which may or may not cause pain), caused by a virus or ...
What is the reason for low thyroid?
Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones . Hypothyroidism may be due to a number of factors, including: Autoimmune disease. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
What is the medical term for excessive hormone production?
The Pituitary and Hypothalamus. Overproduction of growth hormone causes excessive growth. In children, the condition is called gigantism. In adults, it is called acromegaly . Excessive growth hormone is almost always caused by a noncancerous (benign) pituitary tumor.
What hormone is produced by thyroid?
Topic Overview. The thyroid gland uses iodine from food to make two thyroid hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) . It also stores these thyroid hormones and releases them as they are needed. The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, which are located in the brain, help control the thyroid gland.
Which gland directly regulates the production of hormones?
The pituitary gland is a small pea-sized gland that plays a major role in regulating vital body functions and general wellbeing. It is referred to as the body's ‘master gland' because it controls the activity of most other hormone-secreting glands.
