Clinical Thyroid Disease Flashcards
What does the hypothalamus secrete to stimulate the thyroid?
TRH
What does the thyroid secrete?
T3 Triiodothyronine
T4 Thyroxine
What are the symptoms of hypothyroid?
Weight gain Goitre Mood changes Dry skin/hair Heavy periods Feeling Cold Lethargy Bradycardia
What are the symptoms of severe hypothyroid?
Puffy face
Large tongue
Hoarseness
Coma
What are the symptoms of hyperthyroid?
Weight loss Overheating Anxiety/irritability Bowel frequency Sweaty palms Palpitations Tremors Goitre Thyroid eye signs
How does primary Hypothyroidism present hormonally?
Raised TSH
Low T3, T4
How does subclinical Hypothyroidism present hormonally?
Raised TSH
Normal T3, T4
How does secondary Hypothyroidism present hormonally?
Low TSH
Low T3, T4
How common is hypothyroidism?
2% of women
0.1% of men
How common is congenital hypothyroidism?
1:3500
What are the causes of primary hypothyroidism?
Congenital
- Developmental
- Dyshormonogenesis
Acquired
What are the causes of acquired primary Hypothyroidism?
Autoimmune (hashimotos)
Iatrogenic
Chronic iodine deficiency
Post-subacute thyroiditis
What procedures have a risk of causing hypothyroidism?
Post-op Post-radiotherapy Post radioactive iodine Antithyroid drugs Amiodarone Lithium Interferon
What are the causes of secondary/tertiary hypothyroidism?
Pituitary tumour Craniopharyngioma Post-pituitary surgery Sheehan's syndrome Isolated THR deficiency
What is the effect of low T3/T4 on TSH, TRH?
Elevated TSH
Elevated TRH
How is hypothyroidism investigated?
TSH
T4
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies
(FBC, Lipids, Na+, ALT, PLT)
How is hypothyroidism treated?
Levothyroxine (T4) at 50mcg/day → 100mcg
Until dose normal
Annual testing of TSH after stabilising
(Liothyronine (T3)?)
How is hypothyroidism treated if they present with ischaemic heart disease?
Start at a lower dose 25mcg
Increase slowly
(risk angina)
Which factors require special treatment if the patient is hypothyroid?
Ischaemic heart disease
Pregnancy
Postpartum thyroiditis
Myxedema coma
How is hypothyroidism treated if they present with pregnancy?
Increase in LT4 dose
How is hypothyroidism treated if they present with postpartum thyroiditis?
Trial withdrawal and measure TFTs in 6 weeks
How is hypothyroidism treated if they present with myxedema coma?
May need IV T3
When is treatment considered in subclinical hypothyroidism?
TSH > 10
TSH > 5 with +ve thyroid antibodies
TSH elevated with symptoms
When the patient is considering pregnancy/pregnant
What are the risks of overtreatment of subclinical hypothyroidism?
Osteopenia
Atrial fibrillation
What is the line of therapy for subclinical hypothyroidism?
Trial therapy 3-4months
Continue if symptomatic improvement
Inadequate hypothyroid treatment during pregnancy is associated with what?
Foetal loss
Lower IQ