Endocrinology Flashcards
Causes of hyperthyroidism
Graves disease
Thyroid adenomas (solitary or multinodular)
Postpartum thyroiditis
Aminodarone induced hyperthyroidism
Ectopic thyroid tissue
Exogenous (levothyroxine, excessive iodine, contrast)
De Quervain’s thyroiditis
What is De Quervain’s thyroiditis? What are specific/prominent signs and symptoms? How is it treated differently? What should be watched for?
Transient hyperthyroidism post viral infection
Neck pain and fever at onset. Thyroid tenderness. Raised esr
Treat with aspirin and steroids.
Watch for following hypothyroidism
Generic symptoms of hyperthyroidism
Weight loss Increased appetite Palpitations Heat intolerance Irritability Anxiety Tremor Diarrheoa Goitre Oligomenorrhoea
Generic signs of hyperthyroidism
Tachycarida / AF Full pulse Warm Hyperkinesis Lid-lag (upper eyelid not following down as eye looks down revealing sclera above iris)
What is graves disease?
Autoimmune condition where antibodies stimulate tsh receptors
What signs differentiate graves disease from other forms of hyperthyroidism?
Eye signs - proptosis/exopthalmos, lid retraction, optic nerve atrophy, pain, grittiness, conjunctival swelling
Pre-tibial myxoedema
What is a bad prognostic indicator for eye signs in graves disease?
No protrusion - higher pressure!
What blood abnormalities are seen in graves disease other than the normal TFTs?
Raised tsh receptor antibodies
Raised antithyroid peroxidase (tpo)
What is the clinical course of graves disease?
Fluctuating
What examination findings and tests would suggests a nodule (single or multiple) is responsible for hyperthyroidism?
Can feel nodules!
Radioactive iodine shows hot nodules
Poor response to carbimazole and constant symptoms
General treatments for hyperthyroidism
Carbimazole Propulthiouracil (ptu) Beta blockers Radioactive iodine Thyroidectomy
How does carbimazole work?
What is its t1/2? What consequence is this? Serious adr?
Inhibits t3/t4 formation
Weeks - takes a while to work
Agranulocytosis
What should patients on carbimazole immediately report to a dr?
Mouth ulcers
Sore throats
What should be done prior to radioactive iodine therapy or thyroidectomy?
Render the patient euthyroid first
Compliactions of thyroidectomy
Laryngeal nerve palsy
Hypoparathyroidism
Transient hypocalcaemia
Hypothyroidism
Signs and symptoms of thyroid storm
Pyrexia Tachycardia Restlessness Hypertension Cardiac failure Liver dysfunction
What can trigger a thyroid storm?
Stress
Infection
Surgery
Radioactive iodine therapy
Treatment of thyroid storm
Propanolol
Potassium iodide
Carbimazole
Corticosteroids
Risks of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy?
Graves - mothers antibodies effect fetus - manage by treating mother
Use ptu in first trimester as carbimazole has rarely been teratogenic
Side effect of ptu?
Hepatotoxicity.
What regimes of antithyroid drugs can be used to treat hyperthyroidism?
Use carbimazole or ptu to lower thyroid hormones to normal levels
Block thyroid hormones completely and replace with thyroxine
Causes of hypothyroidism?
Hashimotos thyroditis Postpartum thyroiditis Primary atrophic hypothyroidism Iodine deficiency Drugs - carbimazole, ptu, amiodarone, lithium Hypopituitism
Presentation of hypothyroidism?
Dry hair Weight gain Cold intolerance Bradycardia Depression Goitre Constipation Myxoedema Tiredness Anaemia Amenorrhoea
What would hashimoto’s thyroiditis present with on bloods?
Raised tsh
Normal or decreased t3/4
TPO antibodies
Anaemia (of chronic disease)