Hyperthyroidism Flashcards
What is hyperthyroidism?
A condition in which there is overproduction of the thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland
This results in elevated levels of T3 and T4 and suppressed levels of TSH
What are the three general causes of hyperthyroidism?
Primary hyperthyroidism
Secondary hyperthyroidism
Thyrotoxicosis
What is primary hyperthyroidism?
It is hyperthyroidism resulting from a dysfunction within the thyroid gland
What are the three causes of primary hyperthyroidism?
Grave’s Disease
Toxic Multinodular Goitre
Toxic Adenoma
What is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism?
Grave’s disease
What is Grave’s disease?
It is an autoimmune condition in which TSH receptor antibodies are produced by the immune system and mimic the actions of TSH, thus stimulating the TSH receptors on the thyroid
What are the two risk factors of Grave’s disease?
Female Gender
Smoking
What are the four specific clinical features of Grave’s disease?
Exophthalmos
Ophthalmoplegia
Pretibial Myxoedema
Thyroid Acropachy
What is exophthalmos?
It is the term used to describe bulging of the eyeball out of the socket
What is pretibial myxoedema?
It is a dermatological condition in which there are deposits of mucin under the skin on the pre-tibial area
This results in shiny, orange-peel like skin on the shins
How does pretibial myoexedema present?
A discoloured, waxy, oedematous appearance to the skin over the pretibial area
What is thyroid acropachy?
It is a triad of finger clubbing, soft tissue swelling of the hands and feet and periosteal new bone formation
What goitre is associated with Grave’s disease?
Painless, smooth
What is another name for toxic multinodular goitre?
Plummer’s disease
What is the second most common cause of primary hyperthyroidism?
Toxic multinodular goitre
What is toxic multinodular goitre?
A condition in which multiple firm nodules develop on the thyroid gland that act independently of the normal feedback system and continuously produce excessive thyroid hormone
What goitre is associated with toxic multinodular goitre?
Rough
How does toxic multinodular goitre present on radioiodine uptake tests?
A patchy uptake
How do we manage hyperthyroidism related to toxic multinodular goitre?
Radioiodine therapy
What is toxic adenoma?
A singular nodule that grows on the thyroid gland causing it to become enlarged and produce excess thyroid hormones
How do we manage hyperthyroidism related to toxic adenoma?
The surgical removal of the nodule
What is secondary hyperthyroidism?
It is hyperthyroidism resulting from dysfunction within either the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus
This dysfunction results in an overstimulation of TSH
What is the cause of secondary hyperthyroidism?
Pituitary adenoma
What is a pituitary adenoma?
A singular nodule that grows on the pituitary gland
If this nodule secretes TSH, then hyperthyroidism can result
What is thyrotoxicosis?
it is is characterised by the clinical manifestations of inappropriately high thyroid hormone action in tissues
What are the three causes of thyrotoxicosis?
De Quervain’s Thyroiditis
Destructive Thyroiditis
Excessive Thyroxine Administration
What is another term for De Quervain’s thyroiditis?
Subacute thyroiditis
What is De Quervain’s thyroiditis?
A painful swelling of the thyroid gland thought to be triggered by a viral infection
De Quervain’s thyroiditis consists of how many phases?
Four
What is the first phase of De Quervain’s thyroiditis? How long does it last for?
It results in hyperthyroidism, painful goitre, raised ESR levels
3 - 6 weeks
What is the second phase of De Quervain’s thyroiditis? How long does it last for?
It results in euthyroid
1 - 3 weeks
What is the third phase of De Quervain’s thyroiditis? How long does it last for?
It results in hypothyroidism
Weeks to months
What is the fourth phase of De Quervain’s thyroiditis?
The thyroid structure and function goes back to normal
How does De Quervain’s thyroiditis present on radioactive uptake tests?
A globally reduced uptake of iodine-131
How do we manage hyperthyroidism related to De Quervain’s thyroiditis?
It is a self-limiting condition
Therefore, we simply prescribe NSAIDs for symptomatic relief