La thyroïde Flashcards
D’où est-ce que le thyroïde provient?
Provient de l’entoblaste:
- Bourgeon qui se forme à partir du plancher du pharynx (foramen cecum) et descend antérieurement à la trachée puis bifurque de chaque côté formant les lobes thyroïdes
D’où est-ce que les parathyroïdes provient?
3e et 4e poches brachiales
What is a lingual thyroid?
abnormal mass of ectopic thyroid tissue seen in base of tongue caused due to embryological aberrancy in development of thyroid gland
What is a thyroglossal cyst?
A fibrous cyst that forms from a persistent thyroglossal duct
What are some examples of “dysgenèse thyroïdienne”? (5)
- Agénésie thyroïdienne (pas de thyroïde)
- Hypogénésie thyroïdienne (not enough hormone production)
- Thyroïde ectopique (wrong place)
- Thyroïde linguale
- Kyste thryéoglosse
Anatomy of the thyroid:
- Usually 2 lobes but in 30% of patients there is a pyramidal lobe in between the two
- Usually between 15-20g
- Dimensions: 4x2x1 cm
Which veins and arteries supply the thyroid?
Three veins: superior, medial, inferior
Two arteries: superior, inferior
How/why would you observe and palpate the thyroid?
- For signs of a: goiter, nodule, or signs of inflammation
- Stand in front or behind the patient to palpate but usually it’s done from the back
- You must also palpate the neck to look for adenopathies
How to auscultate the thyroid?
Place stethoscope on each lobe of the thyroid to listen for a murmur (souffle)
A murmur = increased vascularization/tubulant circulation
- hyperT4 –> inc. vascularization –> inc. murmur +++
What are the two cell types in the thyroid?
- Follicular cells (epithelial): form unicellular thyroid follicles
- Secrete:
- Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4)
- Thyroglubin: protein that stocks iodine
- Colloïde: amalgam of thyroglobulin
- Secrete:
- Parafollicular cells/c-cells: found between the follicles
- Secrete
- Calcitonin: regulates levels of calcium and phosphate
- Secrete
What are the two thyroid hormones and their precursors?
Hormones:
- Thyroxine (T4)
- Triiodothyronine (T3)
Precursors:
- Diiodotyrosine (DIT)
- Monoiodotyrosine (MIT)
Thyroid histology:
What is the difference between T4 and T3?
T4:
- Weaker hormone than T3
- 100% comes from thyroid
T3:
- Much stronger than T4
- 85% comes from transformation of T4 –> T3 in the body
- 15% comes from the thyroid
What are the 6 steps of thyroid hormone synthesis?
- Captation de l’iode
- Organification de l’iode
- Iodination des thyrosines
- Couplage des tyrosines iododées
- Libération du T3 et T4
- Récupération de l’iode (when hormones are used, iodine is recaptured and taken back to the thyroid)
What happens if there’s a problem with one of the steps of thyroid hormone synthesis?
It will cause hypothyroidism due to dyshormonogenesis thyroidienne
Usually congenital diseases that are dx during childhood
What happens to thyroid hormones in periphery?
T4 transformed into T3
T4 and T3 are degraded and iodine is put back into circulation either by:
- Repris par less cellules folliculaires de la thyroïde (most)
- Excrété par le rein
What is the half-life of T4 and T3?
T4 (thyroxine) –> around 7 days
T3 (triiodotyronine) –> 24 hours
Where does iodine come from?
Not very abundant in nature
- Iodine has been added to salt in most developed countries (in Asia/countries surrounded by water.. iodine can come from ocean)
- Contract products used in radiology
- Certain medications contain iodine (amiodarone)
- PSN: algae (found in a lot of PSNs), kelp, etc.
What does a normal thyroid do when there is a deficit/surplus/or sudden surplus in iodine?
- Deficit: increased captation
- Surplus: decreased captation
- Sudden surplus: Wolff-Chaikoff effect
Wolff-Chaikoff in normal thyroid:
Effect that allows your body to avoid forming excess thyroid hormone
Decrease capitation and organification of iodine
Transitory effect (2-4 weeks) and then once things are back to normal, T4 and T3 synthesis starts again
What does an abnormal thyroid do when there’s a deficit/surplus/or sudden surplus in iodine?
- Deficit: hypoT4
- Surplus: hyperT4
- Sudden surplus: hyperT4/hypoT4 depending on condition
How can iodine cause hypoT4?
Surplus in iodine –> Wolff-Chaikoff but it’s not transitory (you get stuck) which causes hypoT4
(Thyroïdite d’Hashimoto)
How can iodine cause hyperT4?
Thyroïde est avide d’iode d’où thryotoxicose
Examples:
- Graves
- Multinodular goiter
- Nodule chaud
- Goiter due to deficit in iodine
How are T4 and T3 transported in the body?
T4 and T3 are relatively insoluble in water –> bound to transport proteins
- T4: 0.01% libre
- T3: 0.1% libre
Which proteins transport thyroid hormones in the body?
Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG): 70%
Transthyrétine (thyroxine-binding prealbumin): 20%
Albumine: 10%
Axe hypothalamo-hypophyso-throïdien = axe thyréotrope
How is the axe thyroïdien regulated?
Very tight regulation
T3 –> prodominant role in retroaction
TRH –> stimulates TRH
What is the difference between primary and central thyroid illnesses?
Primary: thyroid disease comes from thyroid itself
Central: thyroid disease comes from pituitary and hypothalamus
When looking for a primary thyroid illness what do different TSH levels indicate?
Normal –> no dysthyroidia
High –> primary hypoT4
Elevated –> hyperT4
How are thyroid hormones measured?
Total measurements don’t necessarily reflet the metabolic state of someone
T4 libre (FT4) –> not influenced by transport proteins
T4 totale –> influenced by transport proteins
T3 totale (TT3) –> influenced by transport proteins
What can modify TBG levels?
Increased by:
- Genetics
- Estrogen
- Hepatitis
Decreased by:
- Genetics
- Androgens
- Cirrhosis
- Nephrotic syndrome
When is the TSH measurement not reliable?
in central hypoT4
When looking for a central thyroid illness what do different TSH levels indicate?
Normal –> doesn’t exclude anything
- TSH normal + increased T4 = central hyperT4
- TSH normal + decreased T4 = central hypoT4
TSH ABNORMALLY NORMAL
Increased –> TSH increased with T4 slightly increased = central hyperT4
Decreased –> TSH decreased with T4 decreased = central hypoT4
ALWAYS LOOK AT TSH FIRST AND THEN LOOK AT T4 AND WHAT IT SHOULD BE
What can a low T4 indicate?
If TSH increased –> primary hypoT4
If TSH not increased (normal or low) –> central hypoT4
What are the three common antibodies found in hypo/hyperT4?
Anticorps anti-TPO (Hashimoto)
Anticorps anti-Thyroglobuline (cancer)
Anticorps anti-récepteur de la TSH (TSI, TRab –> Graves, LATS)
In which percent of the population are the three kinds of antibodies found?
Anti-TPO:
- Normal popuation: 10%
- Hashimotos: 90%
Anti-thyroglobuline:
- Normal population: 3%
- Important in cancer follow ups
TRab:
- Normal population: 1%
- Graves: 90%
What is thyroglobulin hormone measurement useful for?
Cancer différentiés de la thyroïde (si élévée –> signe de récidive)
Hyperthyroïdie d’origine factice:
- TBG should be increased in all causes of thyrotoxicosis except for factice
How does scintigraphie thyroïdienne work?
Usually done over 2 days
- Day 1: take radioactive tracer
- Day 2: measurement of capitation and take images of thyroid
What is the purpose of a scintigraphie thyroïdienne?
Evaluate function and anatomy of the thyroid
Why is scintigraphie thyroïdienne so important? (3)
- Permet de préciser la cause d’hyperT4
- Permet de différentier un nodule chaud d’un nodule froid
- Permet de localiser la thyroïde particulièrement chez l’enfant
Important things to know before doing a scintigraphie thyroïdienne?
Counter indicated in pregnant/breastfeeding women and in children (unless trying to locate thyroid)
Antithyroidiens and Synthroid must be stopped before doing a scintigraphie
Beta blockers don’t impact scintigraphie
What would cause increased iodine capture on a scinti?
Graves
Goitre multinodulaire toxique
Nodule chaud
Tumeur d’hypophyse produisant TSH (hyperT4 centrale)
What would cause decreased iodine capture on a scinti?
Thyroidite (silencieuse, post-partum, sub-aigue –> hypoT4 phase)
Ingestion of thyroid hormone
Antithyroid rx (methimazole, PTU)
Iodine contamination
What is a thyroid echo useful for?
Evaluating nodules and cancer followups
Why would you do a thyroid echo?
DO NOT DO IT BECAUSE OF BLOOD TEST RESULTS
Do if during examen physique you find a node, masse, or abnormal ganglion
What is a thyroid TACO useful for?
Determine if there’s an obstruction (trachea/oesophagus) by a goiter
Evaluate a sub-sternal goiter (médiastin)
Evaluate recurrence/externsion of néo
What do thyroid hormones do in the body?
Regulate metabolism
Surplus –> thyrotoxicosis (hypermetabolism)
Deficit –> hypoT4 (hypometabolism)
What do thyroid hormones do in children?
All the others +
Development/maturation of the brain
Growth and skeletal maturation
What are the signs of hyperT4 in children?
Irritability, emotional instability
Hyperactivity
Decreased academic performance
Accelerated growth (rare)
Accelerated bone maturation (rare)
CAN BE CONFUSED WITH ADHD IN SOME CHILDREN
What are the signs of hypoT4 in children?
All the normal ones +
Mental delay (cretinism) if before 3 years old
Delayed growth
Delayed bone maturation
Decreased academic performance
Delayed puberty or early puberty
What is the global action of thyroid hormones?
Increase O2 consommation
Increase basal metabolism
Increase heat production
What are the normal sx of hyperT4?
Fatigue
Heat intolerance
Hot/sweaty skin
Weight loss even if appetite is increased
Increased Rx metabolism
Hyperthermia (si tempête thyroidienne)
What are the normal sx of hypoT4?
Fatigue
Shivers
Cold skin
Weight gain and decreased appetite
Decreased Rx metabolism
Hypothermia (coma myxedémenteux)
What is the action of thyroid hormones on proteins, lipids, and glucose?
Proteins:
- increased synthesis and degradation
Lipids:
- Increased cholesterol synthesis and degradation
Glucose:
- Increased hepatic neoglugenisis
- Increased intestinal absorption
- Increased glycogen degradation
Hypo and hyperT4 and lipids, protein, and glucose:
Hyper:
- loss of muscle mass/force (proximal myopathy)
- glucose intolerance (can cause db)
- decreased cholesterol levels
Hypo:
- muscular hypertrophy (rare)
- hypoglycemia (coma myxodémateux)
- hypercholesterol
What are the effects of hyperT4 on the CV system?
Tachycardia
Increased contraction –> SYSTOLIC hypertension
Palpitations
What are the effects of hypoT4 on the CV system?
Bradycardia
DIASTOLIC hypertension
What are the effects of hyperT4 on the SNS?
Shakes
Sweating
Palpitations
Réflexes ostéotendineux vifs
What are the effects of hypoT4 on the SNS?
Delayed relaxation phase in osteotendinous reflexes
What are the effects of hyperT4 on the respiratory system?
Tachypnée
Weakness of respiratory muscles
What are the effects of hypoT4 on the respiratory system?
Hypoventilation –> hypoxemia/hypercapnia
Weakness of respiratory muscles
What are the effects of hyperT4 on the digestive system?
Hyperdefecation –> diarrhea
What are the effects of hypoT4 on the digestive system?
Constipation
What are the effects of hyperT4 on the bones?
Osteoporosis
What are the effects of hypoT4 on the bones?
Delayed growth and bone maturation in children
What are the effects of hyperT4 on the SNC?
Hyperkinesis (muscle spasms)
Emotional liability
Decreased concentration
Depression