Endocrine Flashcards
Hypothyroid disease
Happens when thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone
Hypothyroid S+S
Depends on severity
Fatigue
Constipation
Dry skin, inc sensitivity to cold
Menstrual cycle is heavier/ more irregular
Muscle weakness
Bradycardia
Hypothyroidism in infants
Feeding problems
Poor growth
Poor weight gain
Jaundice
Constipation
Poor muscle tone
Hoarse crying
Soft swelling or bulge near belly button- umbilical hernia
Causes of hypothyroidism
Thyroiditis- inflame of thyroid gland, lowers hormone production
Hashimoto’s disease- painless disease, autoimmune condition where body cells attack thyroid, inherited
Postpartum thyroiditis- 5-9%, usually temporary
Iodine deficiency- iodine used to produce hormones in thyroid, common around world
Non-functioning thyroid gland- congenital, screening blood tests
Hyperthyroidism in children and teens
Similar in adults
Poor growth that leads to short stature
Delayed development of permanent teeth
Delayed puberty
Poor mental development
Hyperthyroidism
Too much thyroid hormone produced by thyroid gland
Hyperthyroidism S+S
Sometimes looks like other health problems
Losing weight unintentionally
Tachycardia
Arrhythmia
Heart palpitations
Tremor- usually small trembling in hands/fingers
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Thinning hair
Enlarged thyroid gland
Causes of hyperthyroidism
Grave’s disease- entire thyroid gland may be overactive and produce too much
Nodules- overreactive in thyroid gland, single= toxic autonomously functioning thyroid nodule, several= toxic multi-nodular goiter
Excessive iodine- too much= inc hormone production
Cushing’s disease
- Cushing syndrome occurs when your body has too much of the hormone cortisol over time
- This can result from taking oral corticosteroid medication, or your body might produce too much cortisol
Cushing’s cause
- Cushing syndrome is caused by there being too much of the hormone cortisol in the body
- Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands and plays a variety of roles in the body, which is why Cushing syndrome has such a wide range of symptoms
Cushings population
- Females, aged 20-50
- People who take steroid medication
Cushing’s risks
- Sex
o Females - Younger adults
o 20 – 50 - Taking oral steroids for long periods of time
Cushing’s S+S
- Symptoms vary depending on the levels of excess cortisol
- Common signs
o Weight gain and fatty tissue deposits, particularly around the midsection and upper back, in the face (moon face) and between the shoulders (buffalo hump)
o Pink or purple stretch marks (striae) on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms
o Thinning, fragile skin that bruises easily
o Slow healing cuts, insect bites and infections
o Acne
Cushing’s female S+S
o Thicker or more visible body and facial hair (hirsutism)
o Irregular or absent menstrual periods
Cushing’s male S+Sq
o Decreased sex drive
o Decreased fertility
o Erectile dysfunction
Cushing’s prognosis
- Can be cured in most cases, although it may take some time for symptoms to ease
- If left untreated it can be fatal
- Treatment involves
o Reducing corticosteroid use
o Surgery
If its caused by a tumour
o Radiation therapy
o Medication
o Lifestyle changes
Increase activities slowly
Eat sensibly
Monitor mental health
Soothe aches and pains with hot baths, massages and low-impact exercises
Addisons disease
- An uncommon illness that occurs when the body doesn’t make enough of certain hormones
Cortisol, aldosterone - Also called adrenal insufficiency