The etiology of hypothyroidism is the failure to produce sufficient triiodothyronine (T3) to meet the optimal metabolic demands for normal body function. Such failure is secondary to one of two problems:
1. The inability of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient thyroxine (T4) the primary precursor of T3 2. The production of an excess amount of reverse T3 (rT3), which interferes with the production of T3
Triiodothyronine, the active form of thyroid hormone, is produced by the de-iodinization of thyroxine, the reservoir phase of thyroid, of a particular iodine radical. When the isomer of the de-iodinization enzyme is present, a different iodine radical is removed producing reverse T3, a totally inactive isomer of T3. When there is an excess amount of rT3 being produced relative to the available common precursor, insufficient T3 is produced for an optimal metabolic rate with resultant hypothyroidism. This hypothyroidism can only be treated successfully with the removal of a particular iodine radical.
What are the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Usually the hypothyroid patient is characterized as being slow, dull, obese with dry skin, requiring a lot of sleep. The patient may also be of the opposite extreme. Coldness is the most prominent and absolute symptom, a result of the decreased metabolic rate. If a patient's hands are cold or cool in an inappropriate setting, that patient is hypothyroid. Hypothyroid patients may be overweight or underweight; have dry or oily skin with acne in the latter instance; have dry or oily hair that may be fine or coarse; have reduced intelligence or be very intelligent; have insomnia or hypersomnia; have constipation or spastic gut; bradycardia or tachycardia; absence of sweating or hyperhidrosis; and any of the following diseases.
Raynaud’s Disease
Raynaud’s Disease is the result of the hypothermia of hypothyroidism. Raynaud’s has the same etiology as that seen in the hypertensive, but, because they on average are ectomorphic and have no subcutaneous fat for insulation, suffer at a much younger age from the ravages of the greater shunting of circulation away from the peripheral structures. The result is atrophy of the skin and ultimately gangrene of the digits. The use of calcium blockers as an attempt to open the constricted arteries cannot succeed and will ultimately increase the causative hypothermia.
Scleroderma
Scleroderma has the same etiology as Raynaud's except for the added manifestation of subcutaneous fibrosis. The deficient production of T3 reduces the production of cortisol by the adrenals with the resultant inability to block the autoimmune reaction that results in the fibrosis.
By R. M. Alford, M.D.
Hypothyroidism or Low Metabolism
The etiology of hypothyroidism is the failure to produce sufficient triiodothyronine (T3) to meet the optimal metabolic demands for normal body function. Such failure is secondary to one of two problems:
1. The inability of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient thyroxine (T4) the primary precursor of T3
2. The production of an excess amount of reverse T3 (rT3), which interferes with the production of T3
Triiodothyronine, the active form of thyroid hormone, is produced by the de-iodinization of thyroxine, the reservoir phase of thyroid, of a particular iodine radical. When the isomer of the de-iodinization enzyme is present, a different iodine radical is removed producing reverse T3, a totally inactive isomer of T3. When there is an excess amount of rT3 being produced relative to the available common precursor, insufficient T3 is produced for an optimal metabolic rate with resultant hypothyroidism. This hypothyroidism can only be treated successfully with the removal of a particular iodine radical.
What are the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Usually the hypothyroid patient is characterized as being slow, dull, obese with dry skin, requiring a lot of sleep. The patient may also be of the opposite extreme. Coldness is the most prominent and absolute symptom, a result of the decreased metabolic rate. If a patient's hands are cold or cool in an inappropriate setting, that patient is hypothyroid. Hypothyroid patients may be overweight or underweight; have dry or oily skin with acne in the latter instance; have dry or oily hair that may be fine or coarse; have reduced intelligence or be very intelligent; have insomnia or hypersomnia; have constipation or spastic gut; bradycardia or tachycardia; absence of sweating or hyperhidrosis; and any of the following diseases.
Raynaud’s Disease
Raynaud’s Disease is the result of the hypothermia of hypothyroidism. Raynaud’s has the same etiology as that seen in the hypertensive, but, because they on average are ectomorphic and have no subcutaneous fat for insulation, suffer at a much younger age from the ravages of the greater shunting of circulation away from the peripheral structures. The result is atrophy of the skin and ultimately gangrene of the digits. The use of calcium blockers as an attempt to open the constricted arteries cannot succeed and will ultimately increase the causative hypothermia.
Scleroderma
Scleroderma has the same etiology as Raynaud's except for the added manifestation of subcutaneous fibrosis. The deficient production of T3 reduces the production of cortisol by the adrenals with the resultant inability to block the autoimmune reaction that results in the fibrosis.
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