Endocrinology 1 - Thyroid and Pituitary Flashcards
What hormones stimulate the TSHR?
TSH and b-HCG
Where is iodine taken up in the thyroid cell?
Via the NIS transporter (also transports Tc99)
What inhibits TPO?
PTU, carbimazole, goitrogens, iodine - prevents trafficking of Tg+T4/3 into the colliod.
What markers are increased in thyrotoxicosis?
Osteocalcin Urine pyridinium collagen cross links ALP Atrial natriuretic hormone SHBG Ferritin vWF
What markers are decreased in thyrotoxicosis?
LDL cholesterol
Lp(a)
What markers are increased in hypothyroidism?
CK (MM) LDL Prolactin Lp(a) Norepinephrine
What markers are decreased in hypothyroidism?
Vasopressin
What receptor antibodies are elevated in Grave’s disease?
TSHR-Ab 80-95%
hTgAb 50-70%
hTPOAb 50-80%
What receptor antibodies are elevated in autoimmune thyroiditis?
TSHR-Ab 10-20%
hTgAb 80-90%
hTOPAb 90-100%
What is the lifetime risk of grave’s disease?
2.5% in women, 0.25% in men
What is the aetiology of grave’s disease?
T-cell autoimmune process in thyroid - leads to TSHrAb production.
Associated with FHx of AI thyroid disease
Recent iodine exposure (e.g. contrast)
Post partum
What are clinical feat of grave’s disease?
Thyrotoxicosis
Diffuse goitre
eye signs
pretibial myxedema
How is the Dx of grave’s disease made?
confirm with TSHrAb or Tc99 scan
What is the management of Grave’s?
Control symptoms with b-blockade
Control hyperthyroidism with either carbimazole or PTU.
SEs include rash, altered LFTs, neutropenia, pANCA vasculitis.
I-131 usually safe, but caution in younger women or those with significant eye disease - successful Tx = hypothyroidism.
Surgery carries a risk of parathyroid injury, and may recur in remnant.
What are features of PTU?
Short half life (bd or tds dosing) Blocks conversion from T4 to T4 (preferred in T3 toxicosis) Fulminant inflammatory hepatitis rarely Safer than carbimazole in T1 of preg. enters breast milk but safe if
What are features of Carbimazole?
Daily dosing no effect on peripheral deiodinase can cause non-threatening cholestasis increased risk of aplasia cutis, omphalocoele and other birth defects enters breast milk, but safe if
What is the rationale of thionamide therapy of Graves?
Can titrate or block/replace.
12-18 months of treatment, with 50% remission rate.
Most relapses occur within 6 months of therapy
What are factors which favour long-term remission following anti-thyroid therapy?
T3 toxicosis Small goiter Decrease in goiter size during therapy Normal thyroid function tests and normal TSH Negative test for TSHr antibodiy
What are features of grave’s ophthalmopathy?
Can be independent of thyrotoxicosis
Can by asymmetrical
Smoking, iatrogenic hypothyroidism and I131 therapy are established risk factors for progression.
What are treatment options for grave’s ophthalmopathy?
may require referral to ophthalmolgist - pulse Iv steroid and radiotherapy in acute phase, surgical debulking in chronic phase.
What is the mechanism of grave’s ophthalmopathy?
TSH binds g-protein coupled TSH receptor.
increased cAMP and mTOR, also via IGF-1 receptor.
Leads to adipogenesis and hyaluronic acid synthesis - expanded orbital muscles and adipose tissue.
What medication is shown to improve orbitopathy in grave’s disease?
Selenium 100mcg bd improves orbitopathy in these patients. large proportion have selenium deficiency.
What is the cause of periodic paralysis in grave’s disease?
caused by transient severe hypokalemia, often following high CHO meal or exercise.
Usually only in asian people
only during thyrotoxic phase of illness
What are features of toxic nodule/MNG?
Usual presentation is of thyrotoxicosis, often isolated T3 toxicosis.
Often due to activating mutation (somatic) of TSHr
Treat with I131 or PTU/CBZ
Rarely malignant
Dx requires Tc99 scan.
What are features of thyroiditis?
Decreased Tc99 uptake with neck tenderness and thyrotoxicosis.
Causes: Idiopathic - viral or dequervain's Post pregnancy Hashimoto (early stages) Amiodarone
Rx: propranolol if necessary, NSAIDS/pred for pain.
PTU/CBZ not effective.
What effect does amiodarone have on thyroid function?
May cause hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis.
Hypothyroidism due to interference with T4 synthesis and action - treat by withdrawing the drug and thyroxine.
Thyrotoxicosis by either iodine load (type 1) and/or thyroiditis (type II) any time after starting drug. Tc99 often not helpful FT4>>FT3. Rx - stop amiodarone, PTU/CBZ and steroid (antiinflam and blocks T4-T3 conversion) Surgery if no response Colestyramine if desperate I131 not useful.
Tc99 scan is cold in both type I and II disease.
What effect does iodine therapy have on the thryoid?
From diet or fro contrast loads, can cause
‘Wolff-Chaikoff effect’ - stunning of the gland via TPO
‘Jod-Basedow effect’ - iodine induced hyperthyroidism via NIS
May reflect underlying thyroid autonomy - so consider Ix for MNG/Grave’s disease
What is the effect of lithium on thyroid function?
induces hypothyroidism mostly, via inhibition of T4 production and secretion.
May resolve on cessation.
Treated with T4 to normalise TSH
Lithium may also cause thyrotoxicosis
What is the effect of interferon alpha on thyroid disease?
Can cause hypothyroidism in 5%, or grave’s in others due to immune modulation in conjunction with primary disease.
Anti-TPO and -Tg seen in 15% of patients with Hep C.
Can persist for years after cessation of interferon.
What are features of subclinical hypothyroidism?
Abnormal TSH with normal free T3 and free T4.
DDx = sick euthyroidism, non-steady state.
What are indications for treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism?
TSH >10 or symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Age
When should one treat subclinical hyperthyroidism?
TSH
What are the types of thyroid cancer?
Follicular cell derived:
Follicular or papillary carcinoma
Poorly differentiated -> anaplastic carcinoma
Medullary (from c-cells) - RET oncogene
What is the W/U of thyroid nodules >1cm?
Determine if TSH is normal or abnormal.
If abnormal, proceed to SCAN - if hot, stop. if cold- to FNAB
If TSH is normal, proceed to FNAB.
If malignant or suspicious - surgery
If benign - T4 and observation - if growth, reevaluate, if nil growth, stop.