This disease more commonly occurs in elders and in 20 times more common in women than in men. It was previously stated that hypothyroidism occurred due to a lack of iodine consumption. Now that a sufficient amount of iodine can be obtained in the diet, this is no longer a cause for the disease. The main known causes for hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, faulty treatments that have been given to “cure” hyperthyroidism, and pituitary failure which leads to the failure of TSH. While unfortunately there is no cure for the disease, the main known medication to help regulate the thyroid gland is known as Levothyroxine (Warren et al., …show more content…
Unlike hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism occurs in all age groups and is technically treatable. The term technically is being used because while hyperthyroidism can be successfully treated, those who undergo treatment are often left with hypothyroidism in return which is not curable. The over activity is due low levels of TSH with high levels of T4. A cause of hyperthyroidism can be the auto-immune disease called Graves’ disease which releases antibodies onto the TSH receptors. Treatments for the disease include Iodine 131, radioactive iodine, and in extreme cases surgery is needed to remove parts of the thyroid or the entire thyroid (Warren et al.,