[Diseases and medicaments underlying thyroid problems]

Abstract

Equilibrium of thyroid function easily becomes disturbed, if a severe disease or pharmacological therapy affects the function of the hypothalamus, pituitary or thyroid gland. Thyroid problems caused by pharmacological therapy or certain diseases are manifested either as permanent hypo- or hyperthyroidism or transient thyroiditis. Replacement therapy of hypothyroidism, and thyroid autoantibodies increase the susceptibility to thyroid disorders caused by a disease or a new drug. Medications requiring monitoring of the thyroid function include for instance amiodarone, interferon, lithium, proton pump inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.