It is not clear why this happens. In addition, the immune system can produce antibodies that invade and attack the thyroid, disrupting hormone production. This destruction of the thyroid, resulting in hypothyroidism, is called myxedema. It is actually a disease of the immune system. It is believed that an excess of chemicals, poisonous fumes, medicinal drugs, tobacco smoke, impure living, etc., disrupts the immune system and starts it on such rampages.
Medical treatment includes the taking of thyroxine from animals, or synthroid.
This is generally 3-9 grains each morning. An excess will cause increase in heart rate and shaking of the extended arm. The active ingredient in synthroid and other synthetic thyroid medications, is levothyroxine. It can cause a loss of as much as 13 percent of bone mass. An estimated 19 million people in the U.S. take this drug for thyroid problems or thyroid cancer.