hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis Flashcards
Thyrotoxicosis
State when tissues are exposed to excess thyroid hormone
Primary Hyperthyroidism
Free T3/T4 high
TSH low
Secondary hyperthyroidism
Free T3/T4 high TSH high (or 'normal')
Hyperthyroidism Aetiology
Excessive thyroid stimulation
- Graves disease
- Hashitoxicosis
- Thyrotropinoma
- Thyroid cancer
- Choriocarcinoma
Thyroid nodules with autonomous function
- toxic solitary nodule
- Toxic multi nodular goitre
Thyrotoxicosis Aetiology
Causes of Hyperthyroidism
- Excessive thyroid stimulation
- Thyroid nodules with autonomous function
Thyroid inflammation (thyroiditis)
- Subacute (de Quervains)
- Post partum
- Drug induced
Exogenous Thyroid Hormones
- Over treatment with levothyroxine
- Thyrotoxicosis factitia
Ectopic Thyroid tissue
- Metastatic thyroid carcinoma
- Struma Ovarii
Thyrotoxicosis Signs and Symptoms
Cardiac
- Palpitation (AF)
- Cardiac failure (very rare0
Sympathetic
- Tremor
- Sweating
CNS
- Anxiety
- nervousness
- Irritability
- sleep disturbance
GI
-frequent, loose bowel movements
Vision
- liquid retraction
- double vision (diplopia)
- Proptosis (–> Graves)
Hair and skin
- brittle, thin hair
- Rapid fingernail growth
Reproductive
- Menstrual cycle changes (lighter bleeding and less frequency)
Muscle Weakness (esp, thighs and upper arms)
metabolism
- Increased appetite
- unintentional weight loss
Thermogenesis
-Intolerance to heat
Graves Disease Aetiology & Epidemiology
Interacting susceptibility genes plus environmental factors
Younger (20-50 years)
Smoking important
Graves Disease; Laboratory Investigations
Decreased TSH
Increased fT3/T4
hypercalcaemia and increase Alk Phos.
- increased bone turnover: Osteoporosis
Leucopenia (decreased WCC)
TSH receptor antibody (TRA b)
Specific Graves Clinical Signs
pretibial Myxoedema Thyroid acropachy Smooth goitre Thyroid bruit -Associated only with large goitres
Graves Eye Disease
Graves Eye Disease
Thyroid Eye Disease
Occurs in ~20% of patients with Graves
Associated with smoking
TRAb driven pathology
Treatment
- Mild: Topical
- Severe; Steroids, surgery
Nodular Thyroid Disease Presentation
Older patients. More insidious onset
Thyroid may feel nodular Asymmetrical goitre (smooth in graves)
Nodular Thyroid Disease Investigation
Increased fT3/T4
Decreased TSH
Antibody negative.
Scintigraphy: high uptake
Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid storm
Crisis
- Medical Emergency
Severe hypothyroidism
Thyroid storm features
Respiratory and cardiac collapse
Hyperthermia
Exaggerated reflexes
Thyroid Storm Treatment
may require mechanical ventilation
Lugols. iodine Glucocorticoids PTU B-blocker FLuids Monitoring