Endo Flashcards
(143 cards)
Antibodies in thyroid glands
- Anti-thyroid peroxidase Abs: autoimmune so Hashimito’s and Graves
- Anti-thyroglobulin Abs: Graves, Hashimoto, cancer
- TSH receptor Abs: bind to TSH and stimulate so Graves
Radioisotope findings in thyroid
- diffuse: Graves
- focal area: toxic multinodular goitre and adenomas
- cold area: cancer
difference between primary and secondary hyperT
- 1: thyroid gland behaving abnormally
- 2: hypothal/pit behaving abnormally
most common cause of hyperthyroidism.
Graves
Toxic multinodular goitre
- aka Plummer’s disease
- nodules develop on the thyroid gland, which are unregulated by the thyroid axis and produce excessive thyroid hormones
- most common in over 50 y/os
Reason for exopthalmos in Graves
- TSH receptors behind the eye
- Inflammation, swelling and hypertrophy of the tissue behind the eyeballs forces them forward
What is pretibial myxoedema
- caused by deposits of glycosaminoglycans under the skin on the anterior aspect of the leg (the pre-tibial area).
- Gives the skin a discoloured, waxy, oedematous appearance over this area
- Specific to Grave’s: reaction to TSHR abs
causes of hyperthyroidism
GIST
- Graves
- Inflammation (thyroiditis)
- Solitary toxic thyroid nodule
- Toxic multinodular goitre
Causes of hypothyroidism
- Hashimoto’s (developed)
- Iodine deficiency (developing)
Causes of thyroiditis (hyperT then hypoT)
- De Quervain’s thyroiditis
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Postpartum thyroiditis
- Drug-induced thyroiditis
Features of hyperthyroidism
- anxiety and tachycardia
- sweating and heat intolerance
- weight loss
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Frequent loose stools
- Sexual dysfunction
- Brisk reflexes on examination
Graves’ disease specific features relating to the presence of TSH receptor antibodies
- Diffuse goitre (without nodules), not painful
- Eye disease, inc exophthalmos
- Pretibial myxoedema
- Thyroid acropachy (hand swelling and finger clubbing)
what is a Solitary Toxic Thyroid Nodule
usually benign adenoma
Mx- remove surgically
Phases of De Quervain’s thyroiditis
- Thyrotoxicosis (flu like sx)
- Hypothyroidism
- Return to normal
painful goitre
Mx of De Quervain’s thyroiditis
- NSAIDs for symptoms of pain and inflammation
- Beta blockers for hyperthyroidism
- Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism
what is a thyroid storm
- rare presentation of hyperthyroidism aka thyrotoxic crisis
- fever, tachycardia and delirium
- can be life-threatening
Mx of thyroid storm
- admission for monitoring
- symptomatic treatment e.g. paracetamol
- treatment underlying event
- typically IV propranolol
- anti-thyroid drugs: e.g. methimazole or propylthiouracil
- Lugol’s iodine
- dexamethasone - blocks conversion of T4 to T3
Mx of hyperthyroidism
- Carbimazole (1st line)
- Propylthiouracil
- Radioactive iodine
- Beta blockers
- Surgery
How does carbimazole work
- take for 12 to 18 months then continue on maintenance dose and either:
- The carbimazole dose is titrated to maintain normal levels
- A higher dose blocks all production, and levothyroxine is added
Risk of taking carbimazole
acute pancreatitis
How does propylthiouracil work
- preferred if pt is pregnant
- second-line drug
- Used in a similarly to carbimazole
- Small risk of severe liver reactions, including death
Potential side effect of carbimazole and PTU
agranulocytosis
How does radioactive iodine work
- drink a single dose of radioactive iodine
- emitted radiation destroys a proportion of the thyroid cells
- Remission can take 6 months, after which the thyroid is often underactive, requiring long-term levothyroxine
- Women must not be pregnant, breastfeeding and must not get pregnant within 6 months of tx
- Men must not father children within 4 months of treatment
- Limit contact with people after dose, particularly children and pregnant
How do BBs work in hyperthyroidism
- block the adrenalin-related symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
- Propranolol
- control the symptoms e.g. palpatations