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It has been shown that the prevalence of positive tests for thyroid antibodies increases with age, "with a frequency as high as 33 percent in women 70 years old or older." [27] Hashimotos Thyroiditis can occur at any age, including children, [107] but more commonly appears in middle age, particularly for men. [119]
Reproductive symptoms in men may include reduced free testosterone (due to the elevation of testosterone-estrogen binding globulin level), [4] diminished libido, erectile dysfunction and (reversible) impaired sperm production with lower mean sperm density, a high incidence of sperm abnormalities, and reduced mobility of the sperm cells. [4]
Graves disease develops in about 0.5% of males and 3.0% of females. [5] It occurs about 7.5 times more often in women than in men. [1] Often, it starts between the ages of 40 and 60, but can begin at any age. [6] It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States (about 50 to 80% of cases).
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (also known as thyrotropin, thyrotropic hormone, or abbreviated TSH) is a pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine (T 4), and then triiodothyronine (T 3) which stimulates the metabolism of almost every tissue in the body. [1]
In addition to testing the TSH levels, many doctors test for T 3, Free T 3, T 4, and/or Free T 4 for more detailed results. Free T 4 is unbound to any protein in the blood. Adult limits for these hormones are: TSH (units): 0.45 – 4.50 uIU/mL; T 4 Free/Direct (nanograms): 0.82 – 1.77 ng/dl; and T 3 (nanograms): 71 – 180 ng
TSH levels are determined by a classic negative feedback system in which high levels of T3 and T4 suppress the production of TSH, and low levels of T3 and T4 increase the production of TSH. TSH levels are thus often used by doctors as a screening test, where the first approach is to determine whether TSH is elevated, suppressed, or normal. [25]
The typical age of onset is 20–40. It is unknown why males are predominantly affected, with rates in males being 17- to 70-fold those in females, despite thyroid overactivity being much more common in women. [1] [2]
Thyrotoxic myopathy (TM) is a neuromuscular disorder that develops due to the overproduction of the thyroid hormone thyroxine.Also known as hyperthyroid myopathy, TM is one of many myopathies that lead to muscle weakness and muscle tissue breakdown.