A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition.
It is possible to develop hypothyroidism with or without the risk factors listed below. Your chances of developing hypothyroidism increase depending on the number of risk factors you have. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk.
There are several medical conditions known to increase your risk of hypothyroidism. These include:
Your risk of hypothyroidism increases with age, especially after age 65 years.
Women are more likely to develop the condition than men.
If any of your family members have hypothyroidism, you are at greater risk.
Hypothyroidism occurs more often in Caucasians than in African Americans.
Hypothyroidism. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
. Updated November 19, 2012. Accessed November 20, 2012.
Hypothyroidism. National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service website. Available at:
. Updated February 27, 2012. Accessed November 20, 2012.
Last reviewed November 2012 by Brian Randall, MD
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