Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism and Thyroiditis Flashcards
what causes secondary thyroid disease
hypothalamic or pituitary disease
what is thyrotropin
thyroid stimulating hormone
what makes up 80% of TSH
T4- biologically inactive
what plasma proteins does TSH bind to
TBG, albumin, pre albumin
what is TSH released in response to
TRH
what happens to TSH when you are hypothyroid
is increased in attempt to get euthyriod
what is diodination
removal of iodine - T4 into T3
what are hormone levels like in primary hypothyroidism
free T3/4 low
TSH high
what are hormone levels like in primary hyperthyroidism
free T3/4 high TSH low (often 0)
what are hormone levels like in secondary hypothyroidism
free T3/4 low
TSH low/ normal
what are hormone levels like in secondary hyperthyroidism
free T3/4 high
TSH high/ normal
what is myxoedema
either
coma-severe hypothyroidism, a medical emergency
or
swelling of the skin and underlying tissues giving a waxy consistency, typical of patients with underactive thyroid glands.
what is pretibial myxoedema
sign of graves disease (hyperthyroidism) - infiltrative dermopathy resulting in localised lesions of the skin
what ethnicity is hypothyroidism most common in
white populations
what are the causes of primary goitrous hypothyroidism
chronic thyroiditis (hashimotos), iodine deficiency, drug induced (amiodarone, lithium), maternally transmitted (antithyroid drugs e.g. for graves), hereditary biosynthetic defects
what are the causes of primary non- goitrous hypothyroidism
atrophic thyroiditis (untreated hashimotos), post ablative therapy (radioiodine, surgery), post-radiotherapy (lymphoma treatment), congenital developmental defect
what are the causes of primary self limiting hypothyroidism
withdrawal of antithyroid drugs, subacute thyroiditis with transient hypothyroidism, post partum thyroiditis
what is hashimotos disease
autoimmune hypothyroidism - autoimmune destruction of thyroid gland and reduced thyroid hormone production
what characterised hashimotos (antibodies and histologically)
antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO)
T cell infiltrate and inflammation microscopically
what are the clinical features of hypothyroidism in the hair and skin
coarse sparse hair,
dull expressionless face,
periorbital puffiness,
pale cool skin that feels doughy to touch,
vitiligo may be present (another autoimmune disease),
hypercarotenaemia (yellowing of the skin)
what are the clinical features of hypothyroidism in thermogenesis
cold intolerance
what are the clinical features of hypothyroidism in fluid balance
fluid retention- pitting oedema
what are the cardiac clinical features of hypothyroidism
reduced heart rate, cardiac dilatation, pericardial effusion, worsening of heart failure
what are the metabolic clinical features of hypothyroidism
hyperlipidaemia, decreased appetite, weight gain
what are the GI clinical features of hypothyroidism
constipation, (megacolon, intestinal obstruction, ascites)
what are the respiratory clinical features of hypothyroidism
deep hoarse voice, macoglossia, obstructive sleep apnoea
what are the neurological clinical features of hypothyroidism
decreased intellectual and motor activities, depression, psychosis, neuro-psychiatric, muscle stiffness, cramps, peripheral neuropathy, prolongation of tendon jerks, carpal tunnel, cerebellar ataxia, encephalopathy, decreased visual acuity
what are the gynae/ reproductive clinical features of hypothyroidism
menorrhagia, later oligo- or amenorrhoea, hyperprolactinaemia (increased TRH causes increased PRL)
what other lab abnormalities are seen in primary hypothyroidism
increased MCV
increased CK
increased LDL cholesterol
hyponatraemia (decreased tubular water loss)
hyperprolactinaemia (increased TRH and increased PRL)
what antibodies for graves
anti TPO (70-80%)
anti-thyroglobulin (30-50%)
TSH receptor antibody (70-100%) (stimulating
what antibodies for autoimmune hypothyroidism
anti TPO (95%)
anti-thyroglobulin (60%)
TSH receptor antibody (10-20%) (blocking)
what might rapid restoration of metabolic rate from hypothyroidism precipitate
cardiac arrhythmias
what is the management for hypothryoidism
slowly restore metabolic rate
Younger patients: start levothyroxine at 50-100 μg daily
In the elderly with a history of IHD: start levothyroxine at 25-50 μg daily, adjusted every 4 weeks according to response
when should you check TSH when managing hypothyroidism
2 months after changing dose
if stable every 12-18 months
how do you manage secondary hypothyroidism
titrate dose of levothyroxine to the fT4 level
what is levothyroxine
T4
when should levothyroxine be taken
preferable before breakfast
what can require the levothyroxine dose to be increased
pregnancy
who usually gets myxoedema coma
elderly women with longstanding hypothyroidism that is frequently unrecognised or untreated