Which condition is caused by decreased thyroid hormone production?

Which condition is caused by decreased thyroid hormone production?

• A. Hypothyroidism
• B. Hyperthyroidism
• C. Addison's disease
• D. Cushing's syndrome

Answer: (A)

Decreased thyroid hormone production slows the body's metabolic rate. The thyroid makes the hormones T3 and T4 that set how fast cells and tissues run. When production drops, energy levels fall, weight tends to increase, and people may feel cold, have dry skin, constipation, and fatigue. This combination of signs and the cause defines hypothyroidism. It can result from autoimmune destruction of the thyroid, surgical removal, radiation treatment, or iodine deficiency, and it can also occur if the pituitary gland isn’t signaling the thyroid properly. The other conditions involve different glands or hormones: hyperthyroidism is from too much thyroid hormone, Addison's disease is adrenal insufficiency, and Cushing's syndrome involves excess cortisol.

Decreased thyroid hormone production slows the body's metabolic rate. The thyroid makes the hormones T3 and T4 that set how fast cells and tissues run. When production drops, energy levels fall, weight tends to increase, and people may feel cold, have dry skin, constipation, and fatigue. This combination of signs and the cause defines hypothyroidism. It can result from autoimmune destruction of the thyroid, surgical removal, radiation treatment, or iodine deficiency, and it can also occur if the pituitary gland isn’t signaling the thyroid properly. The other conditions involve different glands or hormones: hyperthyroidism is from too much thyroid hormone, Addison's disease is adrenal insufficiency, and Cushing's syndrome involves excess cortisol.