Hypothyroidism | Hypothyroidism Pathophysiology – Iodine Deficiency Part 2
At present there are few anatomical and pathological studies on the structure of brain of those people suffering hypothyroidism in world areas known as having this disease in most of the population during many years (endemic clinical hypothyroidism). Subclinical hypothyroidism is more unexplored and unsuspected than clinical form, and its presence even on people of developed countries is unknown.
In the same way there are few studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT-scan in people with some degree of hypothyroidism. Therefore is difficult now to have an entire picture about the whole characteristics of this disease, since a weak correlation can be established between low levels of thyroid hormones in blood and the impact on diverse structures of the nervous system, mainly brain and spinal cord.
Until now, the available anatomical and pathological data show that the main regions of the brain of patients suffering hypothyroidism are normal.
Nevertheless, abnormalities can be demonstrated at the level of brain weights which have been anomalous.
Researchers studying brains of patients with hypothyroidism have found that their weights are under normal range, i.e. weight of hypothyroid individual is around 1100 g whereas weight of euthyroid (normal) individual is around 1350 g. In addition they have found in most profound studies abnormalities in cerebral tissue like a thin cerebral cortex, and an important decrease in the number of neurons on it.
The areas involved in neuronal decrease and malformations due to hypothyroidism are diverse and comprehend those related to higher mental function such as intelligence, memory, movements, judgment, abstraction, speech, etc
Defects on neurons are particularly encountered on the cell size which is smaller compared to normal cells and the dendritic branching was clearly decreased compared with normal subjects.
The severity of hypothyroidism and the time of the whole process establish the extent of the damage in the functions and structures above mentioned.
It is evident that iodine deficiency contributes to low production of thyroid hormones in thyroid gland leading to a very identifiable hypothyroid syndrome characterized by specific signs and symptoms, however what is the extent of lesions affecting normal function and structure of nervous system in an individual?, Such question still remain unanswered. The importance to answer such question lay on the impact that an adequate supplementation of thyroid hormones can offer.
Even when the anatomical abnormalities produced in brain and in nervous system (as in other organs in the body) by iodine deficiency and then by hypothyroidism, could be completely reversed after treatment, dysfunctions at neural level should be avoided at all, because can produce occupational, familial, social and other kind of problems. So the best strategy to contend with hypothyroidism is still prevention through and adequate supplementation of iodine on diet.
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