General Thyroid Disorders Flashcards
Draw the structure of the thyroid
Diagram
Where does the thyroid gland originate
The back of the tongue, foramen caccum, thyrogloassal duct
When does the thyroid finish development in embryology
week 7
How much does an adult thyroid gland weigh
20g
Where are the parathyroid glands
Embedded in the thyroid
Which nerve runs close to the thyroid
Left recurrent laryngeal nerve
What problems may there be with development
Agnesis (complete absence) Incomplete descent (from base of the tongue to the trachea
What percentage of the population do thyroid disorders affect
5%
In which gender are thyroid disorders more prevalent in
Females
What is myxoedema known as
Primary hypothyroidism
What is primary hypothyroidism caused by
Primary thyroid failure, autoimmune damage to the thyroid or by surgery.
What occurs during primary hypothyroidism
thyroxine levels decrease and TSH levels increase
What is TRH
Thyrotrophin releasing hormone
What is TSH
Thyroid stimulating hormone
How does primary hypothyroidism present
Deepening voice Depression and tiredness Cold intolerance Weight gain with reduced appetite Constipation
How does primary hypothyroidism present
Deepening voice Depression and tiredness Cold intolerance Weight gain with reduced appetite Constipation Bradycardia (~40bpm) eventual myxoedema coma
How is primary hypothyroidism treated
Replace the thyroxine
Monitor TSH and TRH
How does the immune system contribute to an overactive thyroid gland
simulation of thyroxine release
How does an overactive thyroid gland present
Raised basal metabolic rate Raised temp. Increased heart rate Myopathy Mood swings Diarrhoea Increased appetite but weight loss Tremor of hands Palpitations Sore eyes, goitre
What causes hyperthyroidism
Graves’ disease, where the gland is smoothly enlarged and is overreactive
What type of disease is Graves’ disease
Autoimmune
What is Graves’ disease caused by
Antibodies binding to the TSH receptor and the thyroid gland becomes overactive
This can lead to enlargement of the thyroid forming a goitre
Other antibodies bind to muscles behind the eye which pushes the eye forwards and causes EXOPHTHALMOS (also known as proptosis)
Other antibodies stimulate the growth of soft tissue on the shin and causes PRETIBIAL MYXOEDEMA (hypertrophy)
