Mechanism
Cause
Primary Hypothyroidism
Primary Hypothyroidism
Loss of functional thyroid tissue
  • Autoimmune hypothyroidism:
    • Hashimoto's
  • Destructive thyroiditis
    • Postpartum
    • Subacute
  • Iatrogenic - treatment for malignancy or hyperthyroidism
  • Infiltrative disease (sarcoidosis)
Functional defects in thyroid hormone synthesis and release
  • Iodine deficiency (Most common worldwide)
      Drugs (Amiodarone, lithium, interferon)
        Congenital syndromes
Secondary Hypothyroidism
Secondary Hypothyroidism
Loss of functional hypothalamic or pituitary tissue
  • Hypopituitarism
  • Congenital lesions
Functional defects in TSH synthesis and release
  • Drugs (Dopamine, glucocorticoids)
  • Congenital syndromes
Peripheral Hypothyroidism
Peripheral Hypothyroidism
Resistance to thyroid hormones
  • Congenital syndromes