Thyroid hormones are secreted by thyroid gland located in front of neck below the Adam`s apple to control body metabolism rate, so that any alteration in their action will affect the system of many organs. Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder resulting from deficiency of thyroid hormone or, more rarely, from their impaired activity at body level. In its clinically overt form, hypothyroidism is a relatively common condition, with an approximate prevalence of 2% in adult women and 0.2% in adult men. Deficiency of the hormone has a wide range of effects, because all metabolically active cells require thyroid hormone for their normal function. The clinical features of hypothyroidism are dependent on the patient's age, the presence of other disease, and the rate at which hypothyroidism develops. Early detection and proper management is very important. Under treatment leads to disease progression with gradual worsening of symptoms and further metabolic derangements. Fortunately, in most patients older than 3 years, the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism are reversed with thyroid hormone treatment. With increased rate of thyroid abnormalities in current scenario there is need of more advancement in diagnostic technology and there should be proper management and awareness camps in Hospitals and in general public via Running the public awareness programmes on electronic media (Radio, TV, etc) and news papers. Thus, the aim of this review paper is to bring to notice the recent advances in the diagnosis and management of hypothyroidism and to highlight the risks involved in the disease, therefore this review will give in detail a clear picture of the hypothyroidism.
