Women — Women are more likely than men to have thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism, especially right after pregnancy and after menopause or if they’ve had thyroid problems before.
2. Underlying conditions — Conditions such as Type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis can make you more susceptible to hypothyroidism. You could also be experiencing negative effects from radiation treatment of the thyroid.
3. Family history — Thyroid disease and fibroids run in many families. So, if your grandmother or mother suffered from hypothyroidism and fibroids, then you are more at risk of following in their footsteps.
4. Age — Hypothyroidism is very common in patients over 60 and steadily increases with age. But young people can have it, including kids. Some are born with it while others develop it late in childhood or as teenagers.
5. Thyroid surgery — If you had surgery on your thyroid to treat cancer or symptomatic goiters, your risk is higher.