Final answer:
Leaving congenital hypothyroidism untreated can lead to intellectual disabilities and impaired growth in children (cretinism), and profound metabolic and cognitive disturbances in adults (myxedema), while also posing serious risks to fetal brain development in pregnant women.
Step-by-step explanation:
Consequences of Untreated Congenital Hypothyroidism
If congenital hypothyroidism is left untreated, it can lead to serious, irreversible problems in both physical and mental development. In infants and children, the absence of adequate thyroid hormone levels can result in cretinism, which is marked by intellectual disability, growth delays, sexual underdevelopment, and sometimes deafness and muteness. This condition can also manifest in pregnant women, adversely affecting the fetus, potentially leading to cognitive deficits and impaired brain maturation. Furthermore, iodine deficiency in pregnant women can cause neonatal hypothyroidism, leading to lifelong intellectual disabilities.
Adults with untreated hypothyroidism may develop myxedema, characterized by mental fogginess, extreme sensitivity to cold, and changes in skin texture. Moreover, other consequences of untreated thyroid disorders include osteoporosis, infertility, and increased risk of heart disease. The thyroid hormone deficiency, if not managed, can severely impact a person's quality of life and overall health.
It's important to note that, in response to low T3 and T4 levels, the body compensates by producing more thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which can lead to a goiter – an enlarged thyroid. A goiter is a visible indication of a problem, but the underlying deficiencies can result in much more severe physical and cognitive impairments.