Volume : 13, Issue : 06, June – 2026
Title:
THYROID HORMONE DEFICIENCY’S SYSTEMIC IMPACT: A CROSS-SPECIES COMPARISON OF HYPOTHYROID COMPLICATIONS IN VETERINARY AND HUMAN MEDICINE
Authors :
Fathimath Safa, Honey Mariya Babu, Kadeejathul Hana K.P, Rincy K Geevarghese, Mrs. Vineetha S, Dr. T. Tamilselvan
Abstract :
A common endocrine condition called hypothyroidism is characterized by inadequate thyroid hormone synthesis, which causes metabolic processes to slow down globally. Although weight gain, tiredness, and cold sensitivity are its traditional manifestations, its systemic effects are multi-organcentric and transcend species boundaries. By combining clinical and experimental data from thirty groundbreaking studies, this study offers a thorough comparative review of hypothyroid consequences in both human and veterinary populations.
Thyroid hormone insufficiency has a serious systemic effect on several essential physiological systems. Secondary cephalalgias, proximal muscle weakness, peripheral neuropathies, and uncommon presentations such as Hoffmann’s syndrome are examples of neurological and neuromuscular symptoms in both people and dogs. Reduced cardiac output, impaired diastolic relaxation, congestive heart failure, and an elevated risk of venous thromboembolism are examples of extremely sensitive cardiovascular problems. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that maternal hypothyroidism causes delayed language development in offspring and adversely affects fetal cardiac functioning features.
Reproductive dysfunction is similar in all species, resulting in altered estrous cycles, reduced periparturient success in breeding bitches, severe menstrual irregularities, and poor follicular reserves in humans and rodents. Similar impairments are seen in the gastrointestinal and renal filtration rates; hypothyroid canines have a significant increase in Symmetric Dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations, while human populations exhibit reduced esophageal motility and chronic kidney disease. On the other hand, in rodent models of acute toxic liver lesions, metabolic downregulation exhibits an unexpected protective effect. Chronic insufficiency also impairs surgical results in trauma patients and modifies oncological risk profiles. Iatrogenic hypothyroidism after radioactive iodine therapy dramatically shortens life expectancy in feline medicine, especially when renal azotemia is present. Oral levothyroxine replacement therapy continues to be the most effective treatment for all animals, effectively curing multi-organ diseases, reestablishing systemic homeostasis, and returning lipid and renal biomarkers to normal. In the end, this review highlights how a “One Health” approach to clinical endocrinology is translational.
KEYWORDS: Iatrogenic hypothyroidism, myopathy, reproductive dysfunction, Levothyroxine, Hoffmann’s syndrome, One Health, Comparative Endocrinology, Symmetric Dimethylarginine (SDMA), and Cross-Species Comparison.
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press Fathimath Safa et al., Thyroid Hormone Deficiency’s Systemic Impact: A Cross-Species Comparison Of Hypothyroid Complications In Veterinary And Human Medicine, Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2026; 13(06).
REFERENCES:
1. Tepper DE, Tepper SJ, Sheftell FD, Bigal ME. Headache attributed to hypothyroidism. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2007 Aug;11(4):304-9. doi: 10.1007/s11916-007-0208-2. PMID: 17686395.
2. Panciera DL. Conditions associated with canine hypothyroidism. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2001 Sep;31(5):935-50. PMID: 11570133.
3. Hs K, Cheemalapati S, Cr V. Hoffmann’s syndrome in subclinical hypothyroidism. J R Coll Physicians Edinb. 2024 Mar;54(1):26-28. doi: 10.1177/14782715231218033. Epub 2023 Dec 11. PMID: 38078406.
4. Wémeau JL, d’Herbomez-Boidein M. Hypothyroïdies auto-immunes [Autoimmune hypothyroidism]. Rev Prat. 1998 Nov 15;48(18):2006-12. French. PMID: 9881010.
5. Bonakdaran S, Milani N, Khorasani ZM, Hosseinzadeh M, Kabiri M. Is There a Relation between Hypothyroidism and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and its Metabolic Components? Curr Diabetes Rev. 2023;19(2):e260422204034. doi: 10.2174/1573399818666220426090324. PMID: 35980060.
6. Li R, Ranganath B. Effect of hypothyroidism on short-term outcomes after autologous and implant-based breast reconstruction. Updates Surg. 2024 Oct;76(6):2351-2359. doi: 10.1007/s13304-024-01791-w. Epub 2024 Mar 15. PMID: 38489128.
7. Wei WT, Liu PP, Lin SM, Peng CC, Wang JH, Huang HK, Loh CH. Hypothyroidism and the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism: A Nationwide Cohort Study. Thromb Haemost. 2020 Mar;120(3):505-514. doi: 10.1055/s-0039-3402761. Epub 2020 Feb 6. PMID: 32028535.
8. Menotti S, Mura C, Raia S, Bergianti L, De Carolis S, Romeo DM, Rota CA, Pontecorvi A. Overt hypothyroidism in pregnancy and language development in offspring: is there an association? J Endocrinol Invest. 2024 Sep;47(9):2201-2212. doi: 10.1007/s40618-024-02317-2. Epub 2024 Mar 18. PMID: 38498228; PMCID: PMC11369058.
9. Ahmad T, Muhammad ZA, Nadeem S. Is Hypothyroidism Associated With Outcomes in Fracture Patients? Data From a Trauma Registry. J Surg Res. 2021 Dec;268:527-531. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2021.07.036. Epub 2021 Aug 28. PMID: 34464889.
10. Pokhrel BR, Jha AC, Ghimire R, Shrestha J, Tamang B, Gautam N, Yadav T, Gharti SB. Hypothyroidism among Patients Visiting the Department of Biochemistry in Central Laboratory of a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2023 May 1;61(261):413-416. doi: 10.31729/jnma.8163. PMID: 37203890; PMCID: PMC10896450.
11. Díez JJ, Iglesias P. Malignant neoplasms in people with hypothyroidism in Spain: A population-based analysis. PLoS One. 2022 Oct 5;17(10):e0275568. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275568. PMID: 36197930; PMCID: PMC9534429.
12. Mastaglia FL, Ojeda VJ, Sarnat HB, Kakulas BA. Myopathies associated with hypothyroidism: a review based upon 13 cases. Aust N Z J Med. 1988 Oct;18(6):799-806. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1988.tb00185.x. PMID: 3071995.
13. İlhan M, Arabaci E, Turgut S, Karaman O, Danalioglu A, Tasan E. Esophagus motility in overt hypothyroidism. J Endocrinol Invest. 2014 Jul;37(7):639-44. doi: 10.1007/s40618-014-0085-6. Epub 2014 May 21. PMID: 24844564.
14. Elsayed OM, Abdelazim SA, Darwish HA, Shaker OG, Senousy MA. Association of LncRNA-PAX8-AS1 and LAIR-2 polymorphisms along with their expression with clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism. Sci Rep. 2023 Jan 2;13(1):6. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-26346-0. PMID: 36593237; PMCID: PMC9807632.
15. Özalp M, Genç S, Özalp G, Mihmanli V. Fetal cardiac left ventricle functional changes in pregnancies with maternal hypothyroidism. Echocardiography. 2023 Dec;40(12):1383-1388. doi: 10.1111/echo.15718. Epub 2023 Nov 15. PMID: 37964707.
16. Urmi SJ, Begum SR, Fariduddin M, Begum SA, Mahmud T, Banu J, Chowdhury S, Khanam A. Hypothyroidism and its Effect on Menstrual Pattern and Fertility. Mymensingh Med J. 2015 Oct;24(4):765-9. PMID: 26620017.
17. Meng L, Rijntjes E, Swarts HJ, Keijer J, Teerds KJ. Prolonged hypothyroidism severely reduces ovarian follicular reserve in adult rats. J Ovarian Res. 2017 Mar 16;10(1):19. doi: 10.1186/s13048-017-0314-7. PMID: 28302175; PMCID: PMC5356350.
18. Cox SE, Wakeling J, Hall T, Williams TL. Survival of radioiodine treated hyperthyroid cats that are euthyroid and hypothyroid after treatment, and effect of levothyroxine supplementation on survival time of cats with iatrogenic hypothyroidism. J Vet Intern Med. 2025 Jan-Feb;39(1):e17295. doi: 10.1111/jvim.17295. PMID: 39831449; PMCID: PMC11744366.
19. Huang CW, Li BH, Reynolds K, Jacobsen SJ, Rhee CM, Sim JJ. Association between hypothyroidism and chronic kidney disease observed among an adult population 55 years and older. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Apr;99(17):e19569. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000019569. PMID: 32332605; PMCID: PMC7220776.
20. ICMR Task Force on Inherited Metabolic Disorders. Newborn Screening for Congenital Hypothyroidism and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. Indian J Pediatr. 2018 Nov;85(11):935-940. doi: 10.1007/s12098-018-2645-9. Epub 2018 Mar 17. PMID: 29549556.
21. Abalovich M, Gutierrez S, Alcaraz G, Maccallini G, Garcia A, Levalle O. Overt and subclinical hypothyroidism complicating pregnancy. Thyroid. 2002 Jan;12(1):63-8. doi: 10.1089/105072502753451986. PMID: 11838732.
22. Rahman FB, Zubery MH, Moni SY, Ara S, Sultana Z, Islam MN. Impact of Levothyroxine on Lipid Profile in Patients with Hypothyroidism. Mymensingh Med J. 2023 Jul;32(3):727-731. PMID: 37391966.
23. Panciera DL, Purswell BJ, Kolster KA. Effect of short-term hypothyroidism on reproduction in the bitch. Theriogenology. 2007 Aug;68(3):316-21. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.04.026. Epub 2007 May 23. PMID: 17512046.
24. Nesbitt GH, Izzo J, Peterson L, Wilkins RJ. Canine hypothyroidism: a retrospective study of 108 cases. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1980 Dec 1;177(11):1117-22. PMID: 7440313.
25. Di Paola A, Carotenuto G, Dondi F, Corsini A, Corradini S, Fracassi F. Symmetric dimethylarginine concentrations in dogs with hypothyroidism before and after treatement with levothyroxine. J Small Anim Pract. 2021 Feb;62(2):89-96. doi: 10.1111/jsap.13212. Epub 2020 Sep 14. PMID: 32926428.
26. Panciera DL, Purswell BJ, Kolster KA, Werre SR, Trout SW. Reproductive effects of prolonged experimentally induced hypothyroidism in bitches. J Vet Intern Med. 2012 Mar-Apr;26(2):326-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00872.x. Epub 2012 Jan 23. PMID: 22269012.
27. Shuvy M, Shifman OE, Nusair S, Pappo O, Lotan C. Hypothyroidism-induced myocardial damage and heart failure: an overlooked entity. Cardiovasc Pathol. 2009 May-Jun;18(3):183-6. doi: 10.1016/j.carpath.2007.12.015. Epub 2008 Mar 4. PMID: 18402836.
28. Bruck R, Oren R, Shirin H, Aeed H, Papa M, Matas Z, Zaidel L, Avni Y, Halpern Z. Hypothyroidism minimizes liver damage and improves survival in rats with thioacetamide induced fulminant hepatic failure. Hepatology. 1998 Apr;27(4):1013-20. doi: 10.1002/hep.510270417. PMID: 9537441.
29. Kiran Z, Rashid O, Islam N. Typical graves’ ophthalmopathy in primary hypothyroidism. J Pak Med Assoc. 2017 Jul;67(7):1104-1106. PMID: 28770897.
30. Khazan M, Amouzegar A, Gharibzadeh S, Mehran L, Tohidi M, Azizi F. Prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with dyslipidemia: Tehran Thyroid Study (TTS). Horm Metab Res. 2014 Dec;46(13):980-4. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1389997. Epub 2014 Nov 4. PMID: 25369072.




