Hypothyroid/thyroiditis Flashcards
Thyroid Gland
general
Largest endocrine gland
It is located below the larynx and wraps around the anterior and lateral sides of the trachea
Consists of two large lobes connected by a narrow anterior isthmus
thyroid
Thyroid follicles
Filled with colloid
Lined by follicular cells
Secrete 2 thyroid hormones
Thyroxine (T4)
Triiodothyronine (T3)
Thyroid
Parafollicular cells or C cells
Located between the follicular cells
Secrete calcitonin which lowers blood calcium levels
Thyroid Hormones
T4 and T3
Include T4 and T3
Thyroid hormones are produced when the thyroid gland is stimulated by TSH (thyrotropin) from the anterior pituitary (80% is T4 and 20% is T3)
T3 is the primary active thyroid hormone
200-300x more active than T4
T4 circulates through the body and is converted (on demand) by your cells into the active T3 thyroid hormone
Stored thyroid hormones in the follicular lumen are bound to a protein called thyroglobulin (TG)
Bound hormones cannot diffuse into cells
Unbound or “free” hormone can bind thyroid receptors and exert effects (metabolic rate and temperature regulation)
Inhibition of the conversion of T4→T3
Aging
Fasting/Calorie restriction
Any type of inflammation
Lack of sleep
Stress
Acute & chronic conditions (kidney and liver)
Intestinal problems (IBD)
Obesity
Medications: amiodarone, propranolol, propylthiouracil
Alcohol
Functions of Thyroid Hormones
Increased metabolism
Increased transcription of cell membrane Na+/K+ adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) → oxygen consumption
Enhanced fatty acid oxidation andheatgeneration
Gluconeogenesis,glycolysis,lipolysis
Functions of Thyroid Hormones
Growth and development
Protein synthesis
Regulates cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism
Affectsbrain, reproductive system, and bone development and growth
Factors that increase the conversion of T4 to T3
are zinc, selenium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E
Functions of Thyroid Hormones
Interrelated actions with catecholamines
Thyroid hormones enhance responsiveness to catecholamines (“fight or flight response”)
What are the 3 catecholamines?
↑ Expression of catecholaminereceptors
Functions of Thyroid Hormones
Regulates pituitary hormone synthesis(feedback loop)
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Hypothyroidism
general
Failure of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient thyroid hormones to meet metabolic demands
Common clinical disorder
Affecting 1 in 300 persons in the United States - 85% are women
Incidence increases with age
5% of individuals over age 60 are affected
hypothyroid
types
(4 meds can induce)
Types:
Primary gland failure (primary hypothyroidism)
Congenital abnormalities, autoimmune destruction, iodine deficiency, and infiltrative diseases
Iatrogenic forms
Thyroid surgery, radioiodine therapy, and neck irradiation
Medication-induced
Amiodarone, lithium, propylthiouracil,methimazole
Insufficient thyroid gland stimulation by the pituitary gland (secondary hypothyroidism or “central hypothyroidism”) or the hypothalamus (tertiary hypothyroidism)
Congenital hypothyroidism
Clinical Presentation
6 P’s
Pale
Puffy face
Protuberant tongue
Poor brain development
Pot-bellied
Protruding umbilicus
hypothyroid
Sx
Arthralgias/myalgias
Cold intolerance
Constipation
Depression
Difficulty concentrating/mental slowness
Dry skin
Fatigue
Hair thinning/hair loss
Menstrual irregularities/infertility
Weight gain (despite loss of appetite)
slow, low metabolism
hypothyroid
PE findings
Signs:
Bradycardia
Cognitive impairment
Delayed deep tendon reflexes
Thin or brittle hair
Goiter (often with Hashimoto thyroiditis)
Lateral eyebrow thinning
Macroglossia
Periorbital and/or peripheral edema
Thyroid Screening
Evaluate for thyroid dysfunction in all patients with symptoms of hypothyroidism
Asymptomatic patients with risk factors for hypothyroidism may be screened
The American Thyroid Association recommends measuring thyroid function in all adults beginning at age 35 years and every 5 years thereafter; more frequent screening may be appropriate in high-risk or symptomatic individuals
The American Academy of Family Practice does not recommend screening for hypothyroidism in asymptomatic adults
Thyroid
Risk Factors
History of autoimmune disease
History of head or neck irradiation
Previous radioactive iodine therapy
Presence of a goiter
Family history of thyroid disease
Treatment with drugs known to influence thyroid function
Primary Hypothyroidism
labs for Dx
Inability of the thyroid gland to produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormone
Subclinical:
Elevated TSH
Normal T3/T4
Overt:
Elevated TSH
Low T4/low-normal T3