Hyperthyroidism Flashcards
What is thyrotoxicosis?
Abnormal and excessive thyroid hormone production
What is primary hyperthyroidism?
Excess T3 and T4 production caused by thyroid pathology
What is secondary hyperthyroidism?
Excess T3 and T4 production caused by overstimulation of the thyroid gland by TSH. This indicates a hypothalamus/pituitary problem.
What is Grave’s Disease?
An autoimmune condition in which TSH receptor antibodies mimic TSH leading to overstimulation of the thyroid gland and hyperthyroidism.
What is the name of the condition that causes multiple nodules to form on the thyroid gland that continuously produce excess TSH?
Toxic multinodular goitre
Give two specific features of Grave’s disease?
Exophthalmos
Pretibial myxoedema
Features of hyperthyroidism?
Anxiety
Irritability
Sweating
Tachycardia
Weight loss
Fatigue
Diarrhoea
Sexual dysfunction
Causes of hyperthyroidism?
Grave’s Disease
Toxic Multinodular Goitre
Solitary toxic thyroid nodule
Thyroiditis:
- De Quervain’s
- Hashimoto’s
- Postpartum
- Drug-induced
What is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism?
Grave’s Disease
What is a solitary toxic thyroid nodule?
Usually a benign adenoma
What does De Quervain’s thyroiditis usually present with?
Viral infection - fever, neck pain, neck tenderness, dysphagia and hyperthyroidism.
Usually a hyperthyroid phase followed by a hypothyroid phase (as TSH falls due to negative feedback)
How do you treat De Quervain’s thyroiditis?
Self-limiting
NSAIDs and beta-blockers
How does a thyroid storm present?
Pyrexia
Tachycardia
Delirium
What drug is first line for the management of hyperthyroidism?
Carbimazole
How long does carbimazole take to work?
4-8 weeks
