endo: thyroid Flashcards
thyroid hormones are impt for
normal growth, development and for controlling energy metabolism
production of thyroid hormones are dependent on
TSH
- secreted by the pituitary gland, in response to stimulation from hypothalamus in the brain
our thyroid gland secretes 3 main hormones:
T4: thyroxine, or tetra-iodothyronine
T3: tri-iodothyronine
Calcitonin - involved in the control of plasma Ca2+ and is used to treat osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases
T4 converted to T3 by the body
where it is transferred by blood to tissues of the body, where it acts
regulation of thyroid hormone secretion
- myrial neural inputs influence hypothalamic secretion of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
- TRH stimulates release of thyrotropin (TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone) from the anterior pituitary
- TSH stimulates the synthesis and release of the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4)
- T3 and T4 feedback to inhibit synthesis and release of TRH and TSH
- Low levels of I- are required for T4 synthesis, but high levels inhibit T4 synthesis and release
wolff-chaikoff effect
autoregulatory phenomenon
- during initial iodine exposure, excess iodine is transported into the thyroid gland by the sodium-iodide symporter > this transport results in transient inhibition of thyroid peroxidase and a decrease in the synthesis of thyroid hormone
s/sx of hypothyroidism
- fatigue and lethargy
- mental slowness
- dry skin
- weight gain
- irregular menses
- hair loss
when is liothyronine preferred over levothyroxine?
when a rapid onset of action is needed:
- less desirable for chronic replacement therapy due to short half life coupled with cost
- iv for treatment of myxedema coma (severe presentation of hypothyroidism, state of emergency)
overdosing of levothyroxine or liothyronine can cause
cardiac arrest, hypertension, palpitations, tachycardia, anxiety, heat intolerance, hyperactivity, insomnia, irritability, weight loss
- in children: insomnia, restlessness, accelerated growth and bone maturation
long term use of high dose levothyroxine has been associated with
incr bone resorption and reduced bone mineral density, esp in post-menopausal women
onset of action - levothyroxine vs liothyronine
3-5 days (oral), within 6-8hrs (iv)
VS 3hrs (oral or iv)
persistently elevated TSH levels despite treatment with levothyroxine may happen due to
inadequate dosing, poor compliance, malabsorption, drug or food interaction
levothyroxine should be taken (time of the day)?
30-45mins before breakfast, on an empty stomach
with estrogen hormone replacement treamtent, incr/decr in levotyroxine dose required?
incr, due to incr thyroxine-binding globulin levels > binds levothyroxine and reduces the amt avail for action
drugs and supplements that reduces absorption of levothyroxine
iron, calcium carbonate, cholestyramine, soya, fiber, caffeine, antacids
drugs and supplements that increases clearance of levothyroxine
phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, rifampicin
drugs and supplements that increases binding of levothyroxine
estrogen hormone replacement therapy
levothyroxine enhance effects of (drugs)
warfarin, amitriptyline
levothyroxine decr effects of (drugs)
propranolol
when should we treat subclinical hypothyroidism? and w what?
TSH>10mIU/L, levothyroxine shown to reduce cv events and mortality
levothyroxine dose requirement gradually incr or decr w age? and why?
decr, due to age-related decr in thyroxine degradation and in lean body mass
levothyroxine replacement may precipitate ___ in an elderly person with asymptomatic IHD
severe angina or myocardial infarction
in people >65yo, levothyroxine should be
started at a small dose and dose titration should be carried out slowly
over-replacement of levothyroxine in the elderly population have been associated with
reduced bone mineral density and incr risk of fractures
thyroid hormone insufficiency in pregnancy can result in
impaired neuropsychological development of the offspring (who only starts developing thyroid hormone after 12 weeks)
maternal hypothyroidism is associated with
miscarriage, premature death, and low birth weight - can be prevented with optimum thyroid hormone replacement