Endocrinology Flashcards
what are the 3 main problems that can occur in the endocrine system?
- excess hormone
- reduced hormone
- physical gland enlargement
which of these 3 problems that can occur in the endocrine system can give widespread effects?
- excess and reduced hormone level
what are the 3 thyroid diseases?
- hyperthyroidism (excess thyroxine)
- hypothyroidism (lack of thyroxine)
- thyroid mass (goitre)
what is the common age range to get diagnosed with hyperthyroidism?
20-40 years old
is hyperthyroidism more or less common in women that in men?
more common in women (2.3% compared to 0.2%)
what are the 3 possible causes for hyperthyroidism?
- auto-immune
- goitre or toxic adenoma (benign tumour)
- pituitary driven
if hyperthyroidism is auto-immune then what is it called?
graves disease
give some symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
- sweating -irritability
- heat intolerance -anxiety
- palpitations -poor sleep
- breathlessness -excess appetite
- diarrhoea -weight loss
what are some of the signs of hyperthyroidism?
- warm moist skin
- high blood pressure
- tachycardia
- heart failure
- fine tremor
- goitre
- pre-tibial myoedema
what is an addition symptoms of graves disease?
eye disease
which 2 ways can hyperthyroidism be diagnosed?
- clinical
- blood tests
which two sets of blood tests would you request for hyperthyroidism?
- thyroid function tests
2. auto-antibodies
what are the two main things to look for in a thyroid function test?
- low TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
- high T4 (thyroxine)
what are the 2 groups of drugs given to manage hyperthyroidism?
- anti-thyroid drugs
2. beta-blockers
why are beta blockers given to those with hyperthyroidism?
to help control symptoms
in which 2 patient categories should you be cautious about using radioactive iodine as treatment of hyperthyroidism?
- younger patients
2. pregnant/breast-feeding
what is the mean age of diagnosis of hypothyroidism?
60
is hypothyroidism more or less common in women than men?
more (2% compared to 0.2%)
what are the 4 possible causes of hypothyroidism?
- auto immune
- iatrogenic (surgery/radioiodine)
- iodine deficiency
- pituitary disease (rare)
what are the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism?
- reduced metabolism (weight gain)
- cold intolerance
- mental slowness
- poor memory
- hoarse voice
- thin, dry hair (or hair loss)
- large tongue
- goitre
- constipation
- puffed face and extremities
what are the 2 acute signs of hypothyroidism?
- coma
- hypothermia