PBL 3 - Hyperthyroidism Flashcards

1
Q

List some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. (10)

What are the symptoms specific to Grave’s disease? (4)

A

GENERAL HYPERTHYROIDISM

  1. Weight loss
  2. Heat intolerance
  3. Palpitations
  4. Dyspnoea
  5. Irritability
  6. Fatigue
  7. Sweating
  8. Tremor
  9. Tachycardia
  10. Hypertension

GRAVE’S DISEASE:

  1. Ophthalmopathy
    a. Exophthalmus
    b. Periorbital oedema
    c. Lid retraction/lag
    d. Diplopia
    e. Nerve compression
  2. Dermopathy
  3. Pretibial myxoedema
  4. Finger clubbing
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2
Q

List the causes of hyperthyroidism. Consider:

a) Primary hyperthyroidism (4)
b) Secondary hyperthyroidism (7)

A
PRIMARY HYPERTHYROIDISM:
Graves' disease
Toxic multinodular goitre
Toxic adenoma
Ectopic thyroid tissue, e.g.
---Metastatic follicular cancer
---Struma ovarii
SECONDARY HYPERTHYROIDISM:
TSHoma
Exogenous thyroid hormones
Subacute de Quervain's thyroiditis (post-viral)
Drug-induced (e.g. amiodarone)
Pregnancy
TB
Thyroid hormone resistance syndrome
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3
Q

Define Grave’s disease.

A

Autoimmune hyperthyroidism caused by autoantibodies; features classic signs of hyperthyroidism as well as additional symptoms specific to Grave’s disease

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4
Q

Describe the pathophysiology of Grave’s disease. (3)

A
  1. High levels of circulating thyroid hormones.
  2. Effects of increased hormone levels:
    a. Increased metabolism
    b. Increased sympathetic nervous activity
  3. Autoimmune antibodies:
    a. TSH-receptor antibodies
    - –Stimulate normal TSH receptors to increase stimulation of the thyroid gland
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5
Q

Describe the investigations that can be done for hyperthyroidism. (3)

A
  1. TSH levels
  2. Serum free T4 levels
    a. Free T4 index
    b. Measure of T4 protein binding
    c. Thyroxine binding globulin levels
  3. Serum/total T3 levels
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6
Q

What is thyrotoxicosis?

A

Hyperthyroidism

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7
Q

What is thyroid crisis/thyroid storm?

A

A life-threatening condition due to a severe worsening of previously undiagnosed or inadequately treated thyrotoxicosis; often presents with fever, agitation, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain

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8
Q

List the causes of thyroid storm. (8)

A
  1. Infection
  2. Diabetic ketoacidosis
  3. Physical/emotional trauma
  4. Thyroidectomy
  5. Childbirth
  6. Surgery
  7. Trauma
  8. No obvious cause
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9
Q

List the clinical features of thyroid storm. (5)

A
  1. Very high fever
  2. Extreme cardiovascular effects
    a. Tachycardia
    b. Congestive heart failure
    c. Angina
  3. Severe CNS effects
    a. Agitation
    b. Delirium
    c. Psychotic episodes
    d. Coma
  4. Altered liver function
  5. Biochemical features:
    a. Hyperglycaemia
    b. Hypercalcaemia
    c. High WBC count
    d. Anaemia
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10
Q

Describe the treatment of hyperthyroidism. (3)

A
  1. Thionamides
    a. Carbimazole/methimazole
    b. Propylthiouracil (PTU)
  2. Radioactive iodine
    a. Uses 131iodine
  3. Thyroidectomy
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11
Q

What is the mechanism of action of thionamides?

A
  1. Inhibit thyroid peroxidase
    a. Therefore there is no hormone synthesis
  2. Inhibit peripheral T4 to T3 conversion
    a. Especially PTU - this causes a more rapid effect
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12
Q

What are the side effects of thionamides? (2)

A
  1. Maculopapular pruritic rash
  2. Agranulocytosis
    a. Presents with sore throat, fever
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13
Q

List the SWEATING mnemonic for symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

A
Sweating
Weight loss
Emotional lability
Appetite increased
Tremor/Tachycardia
Intolerance to heat/Irregular menstruation/Irritability
Nervousness
Goitre/Gastrointestinal problems
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14
Q

List the THYROIDISM mnemonic for symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

A
Tremor/Tachycardia
Heart rate increased
Yawning (fatigue)
Restlessness
Oligomenorrhoea/amenorrhoea
Intolerance to heat
Diarrhoea
Irritability
Sweating
Muscle wasting/weight loss
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15
Q

Which thionamide is used preferentially in pregnancy?

A

Propylthiouracil

Methimazole may cause aplasia cutis in foetus

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16
Q

What needs to be monitored when giving propylthiouracil?

A

LFTs

17
Q

Describe the clinical signs of hyperthyroidism. (9)

A
Tachycardia
Arrhythmias, esp. AF
Warm, moist skin
Fine tremor
Palmar erythema
Thin hair
Lid lag
Lid retration
Goitre
18
Q

Summarise treatment for hyperthyroidism. (4)

A
  1. Beta blockers
  2. Thionamides
  3. Radioiodine (131I)
  4. Thyroidectomy)
19
Q

List 4 risk factors for Graves’ disease.

A
Other autoimmune disease
Genetic susceptibility
Environmental exposure (e.g. iodine)
Immune modulating treatment (e.g. interferon, alemtuzemab)
20
Q

What do you call iodine induced hyperthyroidism?

A

Jod Basedow phenomenon